Altar support/ mortar "odu" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3032446
not available anymore
Size
H: 41 cm, D: 28 cm
H: 16.1 inch, D: 11.0 inch
Description
heavy wood, blackish brown patina, originally painted with white dots, remains of indigo blue pigment, carved with a kneeling figure, carrying two bags “laba” of a priest on either side, accompanied by a snake whose winding motion reminds of “shango’s” thunder bolts, “shango’s” dog and the double-axe motif present as well, slightly dam., minor missing parts, cracks, traces of weathering;
such reversed mortars “odu shango” served as base for wooden receptacles where the prehistoric stone axes “edun ara” were kept, which “orisha shango” used to throw against those who displeased him.
Comparing literature
Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Yoruba, Zürich 1991, ill. 83