21. Tool, wood and metal. Yoruba.
This adze represents a typical agricultural implement, but with interesting geometry.
22. Stone head, with coloration. Yoruba.
The function of this altar figure is unknown. It was reported collected north of Owo in 1947.
23. Headdresswood, fiber, pigments. Ijo or Idoma - This is a miniature headdress, possibly used in child's play for the masquerade of the village.
24. Altar figurewood, red and blue pigments. Yoruba.
This mother and child figure embodies the characteristic concept of Yoruba bcauty.
The slender expression of quietness and gravity is accentuated by the elaborately carved hair of the mother and the subtle outline of the child on her back.
Symbolizing human continuity, the motif of the mother and child is found widely in sub-Saharan African sculpture.
25. Edan figure on an ironsmith poker. Yoruba.
Ritual implement represents the God of Earth Ogbani/Onile in seated posture. Detailed casting suggests the work of a master craftsman.
Note the broken head exposing the clay core on which the wax figure was fashioned in prepation of the casting.
26.Edan figure on an iron knife. Yoruba.
Ritual implement represents the God of Earth Ogbani/Onile in seated posture. Detailed casting suggests the work of a master craftsman.
27. Open drum/vessel.
This drum is in the form of a human figure with a natural bend to the body.
M1. Ashanti brass bowl for gold powder with ladder design.
The major state of Shanti was formed about 1700. The Ashanti nation quickly became a major force in West Africa and had an impact on Europe through its control of rich gold fields.
Probably under the influence of Islamic traders, the Ashanti developed a system of weights for measuring gold dust. Most of the weights are geometric in design and varied in size. They seem to have been systematically graduated, based on the abrus seed as a unit of measure.
Like all cast objects in West Africa these were made
M2. Ibo marionette.
There are conflicting reports concerning the use of these so-called marionettes. Most seem to have been used in dances and ceremonies.
Smaller figures are reported in use in conjunction with a bird headed mask of the Bambara people. The puppets would suddenly appear through the palm fibers of the masquerader's costume and speak in falsetto.
M3. Ritual board with single figureprobably Ishan.
Collected in Uromi, Nigeria, in 1912.
