Fante. <em>Linguist (Okyeame) Staff</em>, 20th century. Wood, gold leaf, 62 3/4 × 7 × 3 9/16 in. (159.4 × 17.8 × 9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund and Carll H. de Silver Fund, 85.200.1a-d. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.200.1a-d_PS1.jpg)

Linguist (Okyeame) Staff

Artist:Fante

Medium: Wood, gold leaf

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:20th century

Dimensions: 62 3/4 × 7 × 3 9/16 in. (159.4 × 17.8 × 9 cm) mount: 63 × 7 × 5 1/16 in. (160 × 17.8 × 12.9 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 85.200.1a-d

Image: 85.200.1a-d_PS1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
The staff is carved in wood and covered with gold leaf. It is made in three sections, not including the detachable carved finial. Each of the three sections comprising the staff has a carved surface decorated with different motifs, such as herringbone, lozenge-shape and barber pole. The middle of each section is encircled by a raised band with geometric patterns. The finial represents a cat with a mouse crawling up its back towards its pouch which is attached around the cats neck by a cord. The cat's left paw is raised. Condition: Leaf very thin and flaking off in parts.

Brooklyn Museum