Scepter

Kongo peoples, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo
18th to 19th century
Ivory, resin
Height 28.5 cm (11 1/4 in.)
Collection of Laura and James J. Ross

Provenance
Private collection, PIASA auction, Paris
Johann Levy, Paris
Alain de Monbrison, Paris
Laura and James J. Ross

Photograph by Franko Khoury

The contrast between the large resin bundle that contains magical substances and the patina of the ivory heighten the visual effect of this scepter. The intriguing imagery shows the investiture of a chief: he is chewing on a root that has magical properties and holds a medicine scepter similar to this scepter; beneath him is a bound, soon-to-be-sacrificed female figure.