Photographs © Hamill Gallery
YORUBA STYLE
OGBONI FIGURE 2
16" high + base
$450
Nigeria
In spite of its patina, this piece was probably created for the art market.
In addition to a large and varied collection of iron currencies, gongs, bells and Osanyin healing staffs, the Yoruba also have cast figures and staffs, most from the Ogboni Society of elders. Dedicated to Onile, "the owner of the earth", they are referred to as Onile figures and in other forms as Edan staffs. Although called "bronzes" they are usually various copper alloys, made by the lost wax process.
Figure 2, along with figure 1, represented the founders of the community.
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