Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting a Chameleon on Chest, Based

Grey-blue pole carries a little green chameleon on a golden pad.

This linguist’s staff depicting a chameleon on chest is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is carved & painted wood. Common finial motifs include a leopard holding a porcupine, said to praise a ruler's keen insight, and a rooster and hen, which refer to a chief's decisions and the wisdom of his elders. Long shaft in dusty blue-grey with a few spiral carved sections and thin red bands, finished at the top with a small yellow block. A green lizard-like creature with a curled tail sits on it. A square black foot stands below. It is 5 inches wide, 2.5 deep and 62.5 high.

Cool colors, long legs, and a very patient lizard.