Ivory Coast
Baule

Wood
ca. Mid-Late 20th century
Height: 28 cm
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Gong Beater

This kind of device is used by Baule trance diviners (Komien). The sound of a gong hit with a felt gong striker such as this one, act as a catalyst that trigger the state of awareness necessary for komien to serve as medium. From its appearance, I believe this object was made specifically for the collecting market.