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Crescent shaped shovel with long handle, flared and inscribed in the center with geometric designs.
Staff (alo)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Foad Seyed Mohammadi

Staff (alo)

Maker Igbo Artist
Date20th century
Place of originNigeria, Africa
Mediumiron, copper, brass
Dimensions56 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 2 5/8 in. (143.5 x 6.4 x 6.7 cm)
ClassificationsFurnishings and Equipment
Credit LineGift of Drs. John and Nicole Dintenfass
Object number2016.86.28
Collections
Visual DescriptionCrescent shaped shovel with long handle, flared and inscribed in the center with geometric designs.
Crescent shaped blade with long handle, flared and inscribed in the center with geometric designs.
Djerma Artist
19th-early 20th century
Spear with iron blade and opposing end sharpened as stabber; triangular blade with barbs on its shaft and incising; wood handle has incising, bulb in center with cross hatching; handle is wrapped in copper strips.
Congolese Artist (Democratic Republic of Congo)
before 1953
Thin iron spear blade, with long wooden handle wrapped with strips of copper, ending in a knob wrapped with copper sheeting; some detached sheeting due to wear.
Congolese Artist (Democratic Republic of Congo)
19th-20th century
Flat bronze blade with cut out motif in center and around edges, ivory handle and loop on tope with cluster of twisted iron rods in center.
Edo Artist
19th Century
Snuff container
Zimbabwean Artist
20th Century
Forged curved blade with blunt end, and cast brass handle; cut out depiction of a chameleon on the inner curve, and cross cut-out in center of blade, with words engraved above: MK Balogu; Kent I of AL on one side and 23. 9 47 XX   MK Balogu AL on the opposite side. Engraved images of fish, serpents and possibly a frog, with borders of small circles. Edge of blade has rings, possible for attaching crotal bells (now missing).
Fon Artist
20th century
Iron blade with twisted iron strands on shaft; copper wrapped wooden handle.
African Artist
19th-20th century
Staff in the form of a seated figure on an iron rod, holding a dish to the front, with scarifications and beard.
Yoruba Artist
undated
Commemorative Staff (asen)
Fon Artist
20th century
Knife with curved blade, with small stabbing blade attached, figurated handle with two heads.
Sierra Leonean Artist
20th century
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