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Bamun Chief's Staff
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
Bamun Chief's Staff
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

Bamun Chief's Staff

Artifact SeriesDomestic Gifts
Artifact IDDO.092002
Object Type Staff, Chief's
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Medium metal (bronze), glass, soil
DimensionsOverall - 3D H 71 1/4 in x W 4 7/8 in x D 3 1/2 in (181 cm x 12.4 cm x 8.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionAntique bronze chief's staff that allegedly belonged to Sultan Ibrahim Njoya of the Kingdom of Bamun, in modern-day Cameroon. The shaft of the bronze staff is coated with a patina, with three wide bands of embedded white glass beads at the top, upper middle, and bottom. The tip of the staff features a sculpture of a person holding a two-headed serpent. Between the bands of glass beads are protruding bronze masks, shields, and other shapes. The base of the staff tapers to a point.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Barack Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesDomestic Gifts (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Barack Obama Presidential Library. The Barack Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62
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