Gan dignitary's baton
Gan dignitary's bronze staff (Poni province, Burkina Faso)
It is an appropriate gift for walking stick collectors and for herpetology enthusiasts due to the animals depicted.
In Africa (and in the rest of the universe) chiefs, nobles, shamans and other important people usually equip themselves with objects that indicate power that, long before, had been designed for another purpose. Blunt ceremonial weapons, extravagant hats, a simple fly-swatter or, as among the Ashanti, a stool fallen from the sky are part of that collection of attributes with which the stranger can quickly know who is boss.
But among all the emblems and royalties that have existed in the world, the batons stand out, gadgets designed to help the elderly or the sick who, in this case, can end up in the hands of young and healthy individuals. Some see the staff as the object with which the chief can punish the erring subject; others consider it a phallic symbol of fertility. In any case, the staff can accumulate so much strength and power in itself that, as happens with the Dahomean recades, it ends up being venerated when the sovereign is away.
Relatively common in other ethnic groups of the Volta River basin, among the Gan people of southern Burkina Faso the staff of power can acquire very refined dyes, and to achieve this they make use of their smelting skills.
The bronze staff that we present has been cast following the lost wax technique, thanks to which the artisan has achieved very fine details that are representative of the Gan spiritual universe. The entire staff is presented as the river serpent, whose head culminates the handle; On the body of the ophidian there is a human figure (a woman sitting on the bank) and several totem animals of the river: a gecko, a lizard, two chameleons and a two-headed snake that coils around the tail of the great voltaic snake.
Material: bronze
Height: 82.0 cm; Handle width: 13.0 cm; Weight: 1.10 Kg
Terms and Conditions
Standard shipping (free in Spain) and express
Free 30-day returns
100% safe and easy payment
Always ready to assist you
FAQ
Our shipments are made with tracking and, almost always, with several shipping options so that you can select the one you prefer. If the product still does not arrive, we would contact the carrier to resolve the problem. In 'about us' - 'FAQ' you will find a link to the tracking information of your shipment. You will also receive an email with the link.
You have 30 days to return it. Once the return has been received and examined, we will proceed with the refund.
We use the best packaging. Even so, more fragile products are shipped with insurance. If the product arrives broken, it will be returned and your money will be refunded.
It is unlikely, since the organic material has been properly treated and is delivered with maintenance instructions. In any case, you have 30 days to return it.
We have several shipping options, some of them express. In any case, if you need a very urgent shipment, contact us and we will do our best to meet your request.
We offer free parking for one hour to customers who make a purchase. It is located at Joan Miró, 65, under Remigia Caubet Square.
We have published business hours that we strive to adhere to. If you do not have time available at that time, you can request a personalized appointment. If you find the store closed during business hours, there is a phone number you can call (+34 630 49 16 72) and it is very likely that we will be there within 5 minutes.
In the physical store we have many more products than on the website and it is worth coming to visit it. If you can't come, contact us. We also accept orders.
At Black Market we are not antique dealers. Nor do we intend to appropriate the different and very diverse cultures that have existed throughout Africa. At Black Market we offer, however, a selection of all the art generated by men and women that, in many cases, we admire and know personally.
Send us a photo of the room you want to decorate and we can offer you suggestions.
You have at your disposal a telephone number (+34 630 491672), whatsapp and a contact form that we will respond within 24 hours.
What others say about us