Big female bowl bearer "arugba shango" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Igbomina · ID: 3036536

Description

wood, encrusted reddish brown patina, remains of kaolin and indigo blue pigment, blue glassbead necklace, arms and upper part of the body overlong, the breasts especially emphasized, the face with accentuated features frank and with a friendly expression extended towards the beholder, missing parts through insect caused damage (right arm, left breast, dish), breakage (right wrist), abrasion of paint;
such large bowl-carrying figures were the principal sculpture found on “shango” shrines in Igbomina and Ekiti towns. In the bowl the devotees keep neolithic celts, thought to be the thunderbolts which “shango” hurls in judgement upon those who do not acknowledge his authority in their lives. “Shango” represents the protective deity of the kings of old Oyo kingdom.

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Yoruba, Zürich 1991, p. 27, ill. 33 Drewal, Henry John & John Pemberton, Yoruba, New York 1989, p. 153, ill. 167