Scepter

20th century

African

From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, this scepter was once coated with palm oil to give it the reddish-brown surface that has permeated the ivory. It comes to an elegant point and most likely served as a baton during ceremonial recitations or a leader's proclamations, not unlike a symphony conductor's wand. Who once owned it and what stories it would have punctuated are not reliably known.

Ivory

28 1/2 in. (72.4 cm)

Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb

2000.219

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, The Untold Story, November 14, 2003 - November 14, 2004

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