carving. male figure on round self-base with attached handle at the bottom of the base. figure has wide cup-like piece nailed into its head that is tapered to blunt points on either end. the figures left side is non-existant. he has no left arm, leg, ear, eye, or buttock. right ear is heavily stylized. had copper wire wrapped around waist. insect damage on bottom of handle. 43.5 cm tall (canoe-like piece on head: 25.5 cm long x 4.5 cm tall).
Donor:
Berta Bascom
Collection place:
Nigeria
Verbatim coll. place:
West Africa; Nigeria; Yoruba
Culture or time period:
Yoruba
Collector:
Berta Bascom and William Russell Bascom
Collection date:
unknown
Materials:
Copper (metal) and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
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:
likely this is Aroni Osenyin Elesekay Idofa. Osanyin is the orisha of herbal medicine ... referred to as one of the Gods of whiteness, orisha funfun. he works quietly and secretly. his is the hidden power, the power of the mind, on inquiry and thought. his priests ... are extraordinarily adept at treating emotional and mental disorders. he has only one leg, arm, eye, etc. (Carroll, Kevin, YORUBA RELIGIOUS CARVINGS, 1966: 158).
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Dimensions:
length 25.5 centimeters and height 4.5 centimeters
Comment:
Note: This wand represents a one-legged god; not common. PAHMA Storage Loc: W 2-Bascom-8