Yoruba Figural Beadwork Beaded Sheath for an Orisa Oko Staff

Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, mid-20th century, cotton cloth textiles with glass seed beads, nearly 6 Ft. double-sided decorative cover for a staff that honors Okó, the deity, or god, of farming and fertility, comprising a figural head surmounting a tall sheath with eight rounded ears, elaborately festooned in geometric and banded colorful beadwork, mounted on a later custom metal stand.

69 x 17 x 6

From the Estate of the late Francine Pilloff, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

For a similar example see the North Carolina Museum of Art, Object number 2000.5.2.

Areas of bead losses and tears, primarily along the ears.