Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting Woman with Bird and Pot Wrapped in Snake, Based

Woman with a peaked hairdo guards a coiled pot and a small bird.

This linguist’s staff depicting woman with bird and pot wrapped in snake is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved & painted wood. Finial motifs often include a leopard with a porcupine, said to praise a ruler's keen insight. Standing female form with a pointed crest of hair pierced by a hole, wearing a short skirt trimmed in red. At her side are a big coiled vessel and a little perched bird, all set on a dark blue base. It is 5.25 inches wide, 6.5 deep and 65 high.

Domestic order, rendered with exactly the right amount of swagger.