Oracle board "opon ifa" · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3033886
Hans Witte, Berg en Dal, The Netherlands
Description
wood, partly encrusted brown patina, the raised rim carved with figural motifs, min. dam., slightly distorted, missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks;
the flat “ifa” trays always show a mask face at the rim, associated with “eshu”, who is looked upon as messenger of the deities, and who could not be ignored when asking the oracle. By using an elaborate carved tray, the priest honours “orunmila” the deity, to whom the appeal for prophecy is directed. The “ifa” figures, lateron used for soothsaying, were marked with wood flour “iyerosun” (produced by termites) spread on the tray.
The object Oracle board “opon ifa” with the object ID 3033886 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 311.
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