Divination rattle ·  Nigeria, Urhobo · ID: 3037516

Description

wood, partly encrusted greyish brown patina, remains of kaolin, paddle-shaped, one side carved in relief with a reptile (crocodile?), the handle carved with stylized human heads, seeds attached, min. dam., missing parts (seeds), traces of abrasion;
the Urhobo are a small Edo-speaking ethnical group living in the northwestern part of the Nigerdelta. They make sculptures of terracotta and wood for worshipping the ancestors and supernatural powers, as well as wooden masks which are said to be connected with earth- and water spirits.

The object Divination rattle with the object ID 3037516 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 317.

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Comparing literature

Foss, Perkins (ed.), Where Gods and Mortals Meet, New York 2004, p. 91, ill. 54