Ashanti Linguist's Staff Depicting a Seated Mother with Two Children, Based

Pale staff crowned by a tiny figure in a red tunic.

This linguist’s staff depicting a seated mother with two children 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. Whitish shaft with a barber-pole twist along its upper section and green at the foot. The top carries a small seated figure with a greenish face and a red front, ringed by a little dark ornamental collar. It is 7 inches wide, 5 deep and 65.5 high.

Elegant, pale, and topped by a very small authority.