African, Oceanic & Art of the Americas - 28th April 2022
Lot 1126
A Bornu ceremonial mace
Estimate £300 - £500 | Hammer £280
+ Buyers Premium
Description
A Bornu ceremonial mace
Nigeria
silver coloured metal and brass with a nine finned head having three nodules to the top,
27.3cm long, cased, the lid with a brass plaque stamped PRESENTED BY THE SHEHU OF BORNU TO T. E. LETCHWORTH SENIOR RESIDENT,
with two enamel plaques inscribed BORNU VILLAGE HEADMAN No 269 and (B)ORNU (VIL)LAGE (HEA)DMAN No 1040, 8.8cm high. (4)
A typed noted from T E Letchworth, describes the use of the mace 'It is carried when the Shuhu goes to the Friday prayers at the mosque and the person calling his praises points to him with it. It is considered rude to point at the Shehu with the hands or fingers...'
The enamel plaques were removed from the old Provincial store. 'Each village head had a large satchel in which he kept his taxes and census records. Some 'efficiency' enthusiast thought of giving each a number and a plate, in the absence of the then first resident, W. P. Hewby C.M.G., from 1902 - 1913, who later asked why it was necessary to disguise village headmen as London hansom cab or taxi drivers.'