Description:

West African, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, early 20th century CE. This is a bronze figure with a clay core, created by the Yoruba people. Created for the Ogboni, a men's society with the power to depose a ruler considered unfit to rule, these figures symbolize Onile, an earth goddess. Her bulging eyes symbolize that the item is filled with Onile's spirit, while the medium of bronze, the metal of royalty in Yoruba society, shows the power of the Ogboni. The figure has fine details and shows a seated woman expressing her breasts, with a large, prominent belly button. Her limbs are spindly, but her head and torso are well-detailed. Size: 2.6" L x 2.95" W x 6.75" H (6.6 cm x 7.5 cm x 17.1 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Adeon Gallery, Chicago, IL, acquired prior to 1970.

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#118573

  • Condition: Bronze patina; potentially some older repair on the base (though patina covers this area as well).

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March 2, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000