West Africa, Liberia or Sierra Leone, Mende / Temne / Vai people, ca. early 20th century CE. A very long, finely hand-carved wooden prestige staff with an integral anthropomorphic finial atop the long pole. The female figure stands with arms at her sides and feet upon a tiered pedestal. She presents in the nude, is adorned with multiple rings and strands around her neck, and faces forward with slit eyes and mouth, scarifications gracing her cheeks and forehead, and a crested coiffure. There is a nail at the crotch, and the lustrous hardwood with its deep dark shiny patina is liberally embellished with indigo blue pigmentation. Size: 2.6" W x 60.375" H (6.6 cm x 153.4 cm)NOTE: This excellent and well-cared for prestige staff has been vetted by Amyas Naegele Gallery, New York City. Provenance: ex-Bart family collection, New York, New York and Florida, USA, 1950s; ex-Dr. Peter Horvath collection, Florida, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #156784