divining tray (probably the top of a divination bowl). center of tray is slightly convexed. on border is a face surrounded by 17 birds (bats?). face has large lidded eyes with incised lines on upper and lower lids (eyelashes), nose and mouth with both upper and lower lips. row of horizontal lines on either side of the face. birds are all standing with beaks on the ground and wings in an upside down V behind them, as if they are pecking at food on the ground.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Ife, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba, Ifa; Purchased, Old Curiosity Shop, L. A., 1970.
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
1970
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Trays
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Accession date:
December 15, 1995
Context of use:
see card 5-15943
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Comment:
B/W photo stored with Bascom Collection Index Card File.8Ledger says tray is decorated with a border of birds, but Bascom card says the border is made up of bats. PAHMA Storage Loc: W 2-Bascom-10