Staff

CultureKongo

Datelate 19th century

MediumWood and brass tacks

DimensionsOverall: 51 7/8 × 2 1/4 × 2 1/2 inches (131.76 × 5.72 × 6.35 cm)

Credit LineGift of Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, 2025

Object number2025.56.11

On View

Not on view

Terms

DescriptionThis Bakongo staff illustrates a confluence between European and African concepts of prestige and power. The figure surmounting the staff represents a stately male official holding in his hands a book or tablet. This staff is symbol of the owners high rank. Elements of the design represent wealth, power and influence of its owner as demonstrated by the plethora of brass tacks which the figure stands upon. His clothing is also ornamented in the same manner as he holds forth tablet, perhaps a symbol of religious or colonial influence. This example features a dignitary in Europeanized dress executed by the sculptor in a posture that expresses an integration of supplication and aristocratic dignity.Provenance

Provenance

Dr. Stuart Struever (1931-2022), Santa Fe, NM [1];

With Joshua Dimondstein, Los Angeles, CA [2];

Robert Lang (1909-1997), Rye, NY, by 1997 [3];

His estate, 1997-July 2005;

With Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, NM, by July 28, 2005;

Purchased from Taylor Dale Gallery by Ralph T. Coe (1929-2010), Santa Fe, NM, July 28, 2005-2010;

His bequest to the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM, 2010-2025;

The Coe Center's gift to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2025.

NOTES:

[1] The provenance for this object is according to documentation provided by the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts at the time of the object's gift, Nelson-Atkins curatorial files.

[2] Joshua Dimondstein is the principal of Dimondstein Tribal Arts - a gallery predominantly selling art from the African continent. Dimondstein Tribal Arts was established in 1970 by artist Morton Dimondstein (1920-2000). His son, Joshua, partnered in the business with his father in 1996. [

3] In a 2004 document from the Taylor Dale Gallery, they describe Robert Lang as "a recluse who amassed a collection of over 400,000 items." In terms of his collecting style, he "began collecting in the 1920s and was most active between 1920-1940, purchasing from old American estates and from immigrants and refugees from Europe." For more, see the Nelson-Atkins curatorial file.

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.