Object Name: Iron staff
Opa Osanyin (iron staff of herbalists)
Place of Origin: Nigeria
Cultural Group: Yoruba peoples
Materials Used: Iron
Date: 1970
Dimensions: L: 59.5 cm, Diam: 22.5 cm (L: 23.4 in, Diam: 8.8 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Museum Purchase. X70.139a,b

Drewal, H., Mason, J. (1998). “Beads, Body, and Soul – Art and Light in the Yoruba Universe”, Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 202

Opa Osanyin or iron staff of herbalists with a commanding bird at the top surrounded by a circle of birds. Their composition is similar to that of the beaded birds on sacred royal crowns (adenla).