Object Title: Ceremonial Scepter (Bobo-style)
Geography: Burkina Faso
Culture: Bobo (Bwa) peoples
Date: 19th Century
Medium: Wood, metal (custom stand)
Dimensions: 54.6 cm H x 21.6 cm W x 10.2 cm D (21.5" H x 8.5" W x 4" D)
Provenance: Thomas G.D. Wheelock Collection, New York, acquired prior to 2000.
This hand carved wooden scepter represents a ceremonial object within the visual traditions of the Bobo (Bwa) peoples of Burkina Faso. The wood surface carries a deep, dark patina.
The object is presented on a custom-fabricated black metal museum mount. The scepter's overall condition is stable, with surface wear and abrasions consistent with age and use.
Provenance & Historical Significance
This scepter forms part of the seminal Thomas G.D. Wheelock Collection. Wheelock (1931–2015) was a devoted scholar-collector whose lifework focused on the arts and cultures of Burkina Faso. Over three decades, he amassed a collection of over 1,700 objects through direct engagement with artists and communities, prioritizing ethnographic context and artistic excellence. His mission was one of preservation and celebration, ensuring these traditions gained recognition within global art history.
The Wheelock Collection's significance is underscored by its representation in major institutions, including four works in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and loans to the High Museum, Atlanta. Its most comprehensive documentation is the scholarly publication Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection(2007), which features hundreds of works from the Nuna, Bwa, Bobo, Mossi, Lobi, Gurunsi, Winiama, and Lela peoples. This scepter, therefore, is not only an artifact of cultural expression but also a testament to one collector's profound commitment to safeguarding West African heritage.
Object Title: Ceremonial Scepter (Bobo-style)
Geography: Burkina Faso
Culture: Bobo (Bwa) peoples
Date: 19th Century
Medium: Wood, metal (custom stand)
Dimensions: 54.6 cm H x 21.6 cm W x 10.2 cm D (21.5" H x 8.5" W x 4" D)
Provenance: Thomas G.D. Wheelock Collection, New York, acquired prior to 2000.
This hand carved wooden scepter represents a ceremonial object within the visual traditions of the Bobo (Bwa) peoples of Burkina Faso. The wood surface carries a deep, dark patina.
The object is presented on a custom-fabricated black metal museum mount. The scepter's overall condition is stable, with surface wear and abrasions consistent with age and use.
Provenance & Historical Significance
This scepter forms part of the seminal Thomas G.D. Wheelock Collection. Wheelock (1931–2015) was a devoted scholar-collector whose lifework focused on the arts and cultures of Burkina Faso. Over three decades, he amassed a collection of over 1,700 objects through direct engagement with artists and communities, prioritizing ethnographic context and artistic excellence. His mission was one of preservation and celebration, ensuring these traditions gained recognition within global art history.
The Wheelock Collection's significance is underscored by its representation in major institutions, including four works in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and loans to the High Museum, Atlanta. Its most comprehensive documentation is the scholarly publication Land of the Flying Masks: Art and Culture in Burkina Faso; The Thomas G.B. Wheelock Collection(2007), which features hundreds of works from the Nuna, Bwa, Bobo, Mossi, Lobi, Gurunsi, Winiama, and Lela peoples. This scepter, therefore, is not only an artifact of cultural expression but also a testament to one collector's profound commitment to safeguarding West African heritage.
