Yoruba Brass Sculpture of a Standing Woman

Standing tall, holding a long staff, this woman appears to command dignity from all those who look upon her. She wears a pleated robe that appears perfectly conical from the front while the contours of her body are evident in the back. A necklace with a triangular pendant rests in between. The staff, the necklace, the two bracelets she wears on her wrists, and her elaborately braided hairstyle all suggest her high-ranking status within Yoruba society. Who does this woman represent? Perhaps she is a mother queen. Perhaps she is a deceased ancestor whom her relatives continue to worship in the guise of this brass effigy. She is surely someone who deserves to be honored, just her staff alone commands respect. Clearly, this is a woman of elite status who has been memorialized in this gorgeous sculpture.