Staff Finial 19th-20th Century

Curator: This wooden Staff Finial was created in the late 19th or early 20th century by a Senufo artist. What strikes you most about it? Editor: It possesses a quiet dignity. The seated figure, with its smooth, dark surface, has this incredibly serene presence that speaks of introspection and perhaps a kind of enduring strength. Curator: Let's delve into that. The figure, seated on a stool, exemplifies the skill involved in carving such a refined object from a single piece of wood. Consider the labor involved, and the knowledge required to select and prepare the wood itself. The smoothness, the careful rendering of the anatomy—these reflect an incredible mastery of the material. Editor: Absolutely. But I’m also drawn to how this piece reflects gender roles and societal values. The exposed breasts, the adornments, the seated posture – it suggests a powerful female figure. We have to consider its original context within the Senufo culture. How was it used? Who was represented? Curator: Typically, staff finials served as emblems of authority. Their function transcends mere aesthetics. They embodied social status, power and religious beliefs and became instrumental in ceremonial practices. Editor: Exactly, and that ceremonial function probably extended into areas like female empowerment and lineage too, I expect? Looking at her again, her posture also radiates vulnerability. This is, I feel, in harmony with ideas on intersectional feminism and its emphasis on deconstructing hierarchies to create safer, more egalitarian social space. Curator: I hadn't thought of it quite like that before, but seeing it within such a broad and current theoretical framework adds some fascinating aspects to its character. For me, the finial invites reflection on the profound relationship between creator, object, and the environment in which they were all created. Editor: For me it illustrates a convergence of skill, creativity, and socio-historical meanings which give an invaluable snapshot of both the past and ways to build a more compassionate and equitable future.