Staff 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have a "Staff" from the Lulua people, carved sometime in the 19th or 20th century. The material is wood, and the craftsmanship… it has a rustic, solemn feel. Almost totemic. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It sings of balance, doesn't it? That mirrored duality. The two faces…are they looking in opposite directions? Or perhaps seeing different aspects of the same truth? To me, it evokes the tension between the earthly and the spiritual. Or perhaps the past and the future, bound together by that central staff... That worn, connecting spine. I imagine it's seen a thing or two in its time, held in countless hands. Editor: It’s like the faces are guardians. The staff would mark territory. Maybe… who or what did this actually belong to? Curator: Exactly! I'm drawn to how the Lulua artists transformed simple wood into something deeply symbolic. I bet its presence inspired awe and respect. Did it preside over ceremonies? Mark boundaries? The mystery fuels the imagination! But look closer. The wood itself holds whispers, telling a tale through grain and the passage of time, etched into the very fibers of its being. Editor: Thinking about its story gives me a completely different view of it. This seemingly simple sculpture becomes layered with possible meanings and functions, which is awesome. Curator: Art, after all, is a conduit. It transmits culture across generations. It reminds us that behind every object, there is human intention, skill, and spirit. It's truly a special thing to remember.