Object Name: Staff Finial
Place of Origin: Ivory Coast
Cultural Group: Attie peoples
Materials Used: Ivory
Dimensions: H: 13.0 cm, W: 3.0 cm, D: 4.0 cm (H: 5.1 in, W: 1.1 in, D: 1.5 in)
Credit Line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. Anonymous Gift. X91.2241

Among the Akye (Attie) and other Lagoon peoples of Cote d’Ivoire, staff finials were often carved from ivory. The depiction of prestige European dress elements on these finials does not necessarily indicate that a foreigner is represented.

Source: Ross, Doran H. (1992). “Elephant: The Animal and Its Ivory in African Culture”, Los Angeles, UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. page 121