Join The Collection to save, track, and explore works like this.

Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa — Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa

Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa

Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa

This striking ceremonial staff from the Tsonga people of South Africa is attributed to the renowned Baboon Master, an anonymous carver recognized for his distinctive and expressive style. The staff is crowned with a maternity figure, a powerful symbol of fertility, lineage, and the continuity of life within the community. The work reflects the Baboon Master's masterful ability to imbue sculptural form with spiritual significance, blending human narrative with ceremonial function.

🔨 Auction Lot

The Amy & Elliot Lawrence Collection

May 24, 2022

Estimate: $20,000$30,000

Lot 93

Start the Discussion

Request access to join the discussion

About this work

Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa, Tsonga Staff with Maternity Figure by the Baboon Master, South Africa

This striking ceremonial staff from the Tsonga people of South Africa is attributed to the renowned Baboon Master, an anonymous carver recognized for his distinctive and expressive style. The staff is crowned with a maternity figure, a powerful symbol of fertility, lineage, and the continuity of life within the community. The work reflects the Baboon Master's masterful ability to imbue sculptural form with spiritual significance, blending human narrative with ceremonial function.

Seen at
Sotheby's, New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris

Related themes

Tsonga Art, Figurative Sculpture, Brown, Tribal, Cultural, Staff, Male Artist, Traditional, Traditional Artist, Maternity Figure, Sculptural, Tribal Art, Wood Carving, African Artist, 19th Century Art, South African, Ceremonial Object, Indigenous Art, Figurative, Southern African Art