Kneeling female figure with bowl "olumeye"
Nigeria, Yoruba, Abeokuta, Adugbologe workshop
sold
EUR 2,400
Provenance
Ursula & Hans Finck, Welmbüttel, Germany (acquired in the 1970s)By inheritance, family-owned
Size
H: 34,5 cm
B: 27,5 cm (bowl)
H: 13.6 inch
B: 10.8 inch (bowl)
Description
wood, handwritten inscription on the inside of the lid: “Gruss aus Lagos Westafrika 28.5.36”
A work by the famous Adugbologe family of sculptors from Abeokuta, possibly Oniyide Adugbologe (ca.1875 - ca.1947). For comparable works see AHDRC 0109288 & AHDRC 0214477.
The motif of the kneeling female combined with a bowl in shape of a hen is a characteristic theme of court art in Yorubaland. Gift-bowls such as this adorned the reception halls of many kings, especially in the Ekiti and Igbomina areas. Some were used for keeping kola nuts “obi” and other presents given to important visitors by the king. The female figure is a messenger to the spirits called “olúmèye”, “one -who-knows-honour”.