Tuareg, Mali
25" H x 9.5" W X 4" deep, with base

A nomadic people of the Sahara, the Tuareg do not create masks or figurines, but rather specialize in art forms of leather work, metal casting and wood carving. Poles such as this one serve the practical purpose of holding up tents made of red-dyed goat hide tents, as well as for hanging bags, saddles, and utensils. One end is sharpened for planting into the earth and the other is elaborately carved, making these items of prestige for the owner. This fragment of a tent pole is very old, and displayed at Archeo for its sculptural beauty.