"Cephalophorus Recade - Fon Culture?, Benin - 19th Century"
Cephalophorus RecadeFon culture, Benin
19th century
Kake wood, steel, iron and aluminium
Length: 49.5 cm; Length: 13 cm
A monoxyle kake wood recade with a slightly curved handle ending in an aluminium ring. The distal end is angled and the head is shaped into a stylised face: it is topped with a large crest made from a cut steel blade, its eyes are revealed by two large riveted iron nails and an iron ring holding the blade prefigures a torque necklace.
Recades were seen as sceptres, batons of command or emblems of authority for the récadère: the bearer of the recade, also known as the messenger.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
Ref.LP5326
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