An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Staff of Officeearly to mid-1800s
Sanctified by a ritual specialist and enhanced with medicinal substances, the staff possessed supernatural qualities and was endowed with healing power. Luba staffs are among the most important regalia of Luba kings. The metal point alludes to the kingdom's stability and durability. Each staff has its own distinctive iconography to reflect regional styles. As Chief Msidi (former owner of this staff) ruled over the Yeke kingdom (and not the Luba kingdom), it begs the question of how he acquired this symbol of another realm's power.
The Yeke kingdom ruler Chief Msidi gave this as a gift of appreciation to the British missionary Frederick Stanley Arnot, whom the chief had invited to his kingdom.
Wood and iron
Overall: 170 x 13.3 cm (66 15/16 x 5 1/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund
In the heart of the lush, vibrant Congo, where the earth hums with ancient secrets and life flows like the rivers that carve through the landscape, there existed a profound artifact: the Luba staff. The vitality of its presence exceeded that of mere wood and metal; it was a vessel of healing blessed by the hands of a ritual specialist. Sanctified and imbued with medicinal substances, this staff radiated an air of the supernatural, its very essence pulsing with the power to heal.
Little do many know, these staffs were not just items of beauty; they were revered regalia, symbols of authority among the Luba kings. Each staff bore a distinct iconography, rich with the stories and styles of its region, making it a unique testament to the artistry and cultural heritage of the people. The glimmering metal point at the staff’s tip mirrored the unwavering stability and enduring spirit of the kingdom it represented, standing firm against the trials of time.
Among those who wielded such power was Chief Msidi, a formidable leader whose dominion lay not within the Luba kingdom, but over the Yeke kingdom. Here lies a tale that sparks curiosity—how did he come to possess an emblem so deeply associated with the might of another realm? The air thickens with intrigue, as we ponder the journey that might have led this chief to claim a symbol that resonated with the authority of kings beyond his own boundaries. Did he forge an alliance through wisdom and respect, or did fate weave paths that converged in unexpected ways?
As we trace our fingers along the carved patterns and listen to the whispers of history, it becomes clear: every artifact holds a narrative waiting to unfold, and within those tales, the bonds of cultures intertwine, creating a tapestry rich in stories, healing, power, and connection.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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