Idiosyncratic Yoruba Opa Osanyin

According to the literature Opa Osanyin typically feature a large central bird surrounded by a ring of 16 smaller birds or abstract bird-like forms. In fact, few in my experience do. This unquestionably old and genuine specimen has a finely wrought central bird encircled by 16 curved spokes. The overall organic form of the staff is nod to its role as a conduit to the influence of Osanyin, the orisa of medicial plants. Ten of the spokes terminate in an ambiguous floral/bird-like element, one each feature a turtle form and a miniature bell, and four are surmounted by representations of birds. Yoruba cosmology and iconography is as complex as it is varied. No two Opa Osanyin are identical and some, such as this very fine century old example, are utterly idiosyncratic.

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