An important Yoruba concept is that civic order depends on a balance between male and female authority.
The Yoruba reserve the use of beads for royalty, priests and priestesses, and the embellishment of ritual and ceremonial objects. Only kings are permitted to use the full range of beaded regalia: crowns, fans, flywhisks, canes, ceremonials staffs, necklaces, footwear, thrones, footrests, footstools, and entire garments.
A staff like this would be carried as a prestige object to show status.
The chameleon represents on top represents a powerful symbol. The chameleon is able to see both forwards and backwards (360 degrees), and as such is believed to be able to see both the past and the future, as well as magical transformation.
Height: 26 1/2" x Depth: 4".
Height on the 3 1/2" square base it stands 28 1/8" tall.
Ex. Allan Stone Collection
