RECADE CEPHALOPHORMUS - Fon culture?, Benin - 19th century

RECADE CEPHALOPHORMUS
Fon Culture?, Benin
19th century
Kake wood, steel, iron and aluminum
Length: 49.5; W: 13 cm

Recade in monoxyl kake wood with a slightly curved handle and finished with an aluminum ring. The distal end is angled and the head is worked into a stylized face: it is topped with a large crest in cut steel blade, its eyes are manifested by two large riveted iron nails and an iron ring holding the blade prefigures a torque necklace.

The recades were considered scepters, batons of command or emblems of authority of the recadere: the recade bearer, also called messenger.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON


Ref.LP5326