Staff with female head c. 20th century

This staff with female head was made by a Yoruba artist with bronze and iron. The metallic surface has a greenish-brown patina, which gives it an ancient feel. Looking at it, I imagine the artist carefully carving the two female heads, each with the same calm expression, one after the other. I think about the artist’s hands working meticulously, giving shape to the bronze, revealing the female figures hidden inside the material. The artist has used a sharp tool, maybe a chisel, to add details to the figure’s faces. The lines are clean and confident. I can see the artist’s touch in every groove and curve. The faces are connected by a simple chain that drapes between them, adding to the overall symmetry. The chain also gives the piece a kind of weight, both literally and figuratively, symbolizing connection or perhaps a shared burden. You can see the skill and care that went into making this ceremonial object.