Mirror case
Nigeria, Yoruba
not available anymore
Provenance
Lauritz Sunde (1910-1979), Copenhagen, DenmarkChristophe Rolley, Bagneux, France
Size
M: 27,5 cm x 20 cm
M: 10.8 inch x 7.9 inch
Description
wood, camwood powder, missing part, incised number “270726069932”
The frame is carved with snake and loop motif. The masked face of “eshu” is on the back. The areas filled with fine linear engravings. At the bottom are two whimsical figures with oversized hands and triangular heads, each with an eye.
Elaborately decorated domestic utensils were the privilege of the wealthy and the powerful. Like the carved veranda posts and doors that greeted visitors to their homes, the smaller pieces, even a comb or a mirror, were also symbols of social status. Mirrors like this were popular wedding gifts.