Lot 126A
**Originally Listed At $500**
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive and intricate ceremonial reliquary figure carved from wood and ornamented in glass beads, animal fur, metal tinkers and rings, cowrie shells, giant snail shells, and cloth! The woman kneels on a thick leather panel over a giant snail shell flanked by a pair of drums or baskets made of hide and covered in goat or ungulate fur, metal ornament, and small calabash gourds. The woman's surface is entirely covered with beads, and she wears a skirt made from strands of disc beads as well as a necklace and a snail shell pendant. Her upward arms hold a cloth covered calabash shape finial dotted with cowrie shells and iron rings and conical tinkers. A raised beaded lizard and a face that represents Oduduwa - a divine and heroic king that symbolizes sacred authority and protection - are sewn onto opposite sides of the calabash. Size: 13" L x 10" W x 37" H (33 cm x 25.4 cm x 94 cm); 38.5" H (97.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#136142
- Condition: Heavy dark patina and mineral deposits. Loosening and some losses to a few ornaments and beads but overall very good. Minor tears to cloth and russet patina on metal items.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |