Lot 117
Yoruba Odigba Ifa Beaded Necklace (Sacred Authority)
Yoruba Odigba Ifa Beaded Necklace (Sacred Authority)
Starting Bid: $250
(0 Bids)- Register to Bid
- To increase your bid limit, Get Verified .
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A vibrant emblem of sacred authority, this early 20th century Yoruba Odigba Ifa necklace unites artistry, ritual power, and spiritual protection. Fashioned from trade cloth, plant fiber, glass beads, leather, and wood, it was worn by a babalawo (Yoruba diviner) as both a protective talisman and a public statement of status. The necklace's pendant is rendered in a vivid palette of red, green, white, and black beads, depicting a stylized human face, while the elaborate beaded strand is punctuated with cylindrical elements made from the wood of the gbekude tree - sacred to Orunmila, the orisa of Ifa. The name gbekude translates to "tie-up-Death," signaling the wood's association with longevity, protection, and prosperity. In Yoruba cosmology, beadwork is not merely decorative; it is a marker of access to ase - the spiritual authority to mediate between the earthly realm (aye) and the divine (orun). Size of pendant: 5.8" W x 4.6" H (14.7 cm x 11.7 cm); of necklace: 47.8" L (121.4 cm)
The wearing of beaded regalia likens the diviner to a king, whose crown, like this necklace, demands ritual consecration. The flat, bead-covered pendant guarded the chest and throat, often concealing medicines and other potent substances believed to shield the wearer from harm and to enhance their divinatory power.
Such necklaces were donned during the performance of Ifa divination, a complex spiritual practice used to interpret the will of the gods, diagnose illness, and guide important decisions. More than a personal ornament, this Odigba Ifa is a symbol of the diviner's authority, spiritual potency, and enduring role as a custodian of Yoruba tradition.
Exhibited: 2023, August 4-November 3. "Looking Again" at the Ralph T Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, received as a gift in March 2020; ex-Patricia M. Newman
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.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#196045
- Condition: Visible threading at beaded joints and minor fraying on periphery of pendant. Some discoloring in a few areas, but otherwise, intact and excellent with nice beadwork.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |