Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting Animal with Bird Between Horns

Rust-red bull in black socks wears a tiny crown of sticks.

This linguist’s staff depicting animal with bird between horns is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved & painted wood. The Okyeame, or linguist, spoke for Ashanti chiefs, who traditionally never addressed their people directly, and generally recast a chief's words as proverbs meant to instruct, inform and entertain. Solid-bodied hoofed animal in glossy orange-red, with black-tipped legs, dark painted eyes and short incised lines along the neck. Thin black antler-like twigs rise from its head. It stands on a hammered gold slab. It is 5.5 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 63 high.

Sturdy, sock-wearing, and absolutely committed to the look.