The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 25, 2024

Staff Head

Staff Head

400–1000 CE
cast gold
Overall: 6.7 x 3 x 8.2 cm (2 5/8 x 1 3/16 x 3 1/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1954.594
Location: not on view

Description

These finials probably fit over the ends of wooden staffs, emblems of rank. Unique to the Sinú area are finials with an image, often a bird, at a right angle to the base. This orientation suggests that the finials served as the finger grips of ceremonial spear throwers.
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1966. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1966. Reproduced: p. 295 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1969. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1969. Reproduced: p. 295 archive.org
    The Cleveland Museum of Art. Handbook of the Cleveland Museum of Art/1978. Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art, 1978. Reproduced: p. 398 archive.org
  • Treasures of Peruvian Gold. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (February 23-April 3, 1966).
    Cleveland, OH: The Cleveland Museum of Art; February 23-April 3, 1966. "Treasures of Peruvian Gold."
    Dallas, TX: Neiman-Marcus Co.; October 19-31, 1959. "South American Fortnight."
  • {{cite web|title=Staff Head|url=false|author=|year=400–1000 CE|access-date=25 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1954.594