Carving. Standing male figure on round self-base. Shows signs of wear. Scarification on belly, 3 sets of 3 lines radiate out from the belly button. Frog-like fingers are attached to upper thighs. Indentation for spine. Traces of blue pigment remain on hair which is brought up in 4 sections to the top of the head. Facial features are somewhat worn. Eyes have pupils. Ears are angular and set back on the head. Strings of beads are wrapped around neck, right wrist, and ankles. Nose is broad and upper lip is large. 25 cm tall.
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba; Oyo
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works) and Ere ibeji
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:
Traditionally carved upon the death of a twin or twins.