Dance Wand (Oshe Shango)

A dance wand in the form of a standing wooden female figure with arms at sides apart from torso; hands joined at hips; and feet and legs apart. Facial features include a forehead with three vertical cicatrization marks; eyelids heavy and triangular in shape; centers of eyes pierced; and lips slightly apart. Ears are horseshoe-shaped and slightly flared away from head. Coiffure has four overlapping cone-shaped elements with incised striations. Face and coiffure are separated by a smooth band with ties at the back of the head. A large double-edged axe springs vertically from top of coiffure. It is supported on either side by a smaller axe attached to a handle that joins the coiffure. Three leaf-shaped cicatrization marks appear ...