YORUBA SHANGO SCEPTER NIGERIA Made of wood H.: 40.5 cm (16 in.) A Shango Yoruba staff, Nigeria Provenance: Collection of Jean-Jacques Rotthier (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family  Followers of Shàngó, the Yoruba deity of thunder and divine justice, carried these oshé during the ceremonial dances dedicated to him. The object is distinguished by the characteristic motif of the double axe rising above the figure’s head, a symbol of the ‘thunder stones’ believed to be hurled from the heavens by Shàngó as manifestations of his power and authority. The figure depicts a priestess. Her devout posture forms a counterpoint to Shàngó’s formidable power and emphasises her role as an intermediary between the world of mortals and that of the divine powers. A SHANGO YORUBA STAFF NIGERIA Wood H.: 16 in. Provenance: Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent Devotees of Shàngó, the Yoruba deity of thunder and divine justice, carried such wands during ceremonial dances. The object is distinguished by the double-axe motif rising from the figure’s head, symbolising the ‘thunderstones’ believed to be hurled from the heavens as manifestations of Shàngó’s power and judgement. The figure represents a priestess. Her posture of devotion serves as a visual counterpoint to Shàngó’s formidable power, acting as an intermediary between the mortal world and the deity’s swift justice.