Photographs © Hamill Gallery
YORUBA, OGBONI FIGURE 11, 6.75", $150, SOLD
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 12 is probably brass.
Figure 11, along with figure 12, represented the founders of the community.
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