Oracle board "opon ifa" · Nigeria, Yoruba, Ekiti · ID: 3034963
sold
EUR 3,000
Provenance
Gert Stoll, Munich, Germany (acquired in Lagos between 1964-1969)Galerie Schwarz-Weiß, Essen, Germany
Lempertz Brussels, 30.3.2006, lot 98
Sotheby’s New York, 14.5.2010, lot 115
Size
H: 38 cm
D: 41,5 cm
H: 15.0 inch
D: 16.3 inch
Description
wood, brown, partly encrusted patina, of circular form, the broad rim carved with numerous human figures and animals, the face of “eshu” in the center, two further depictions of the deity aside, min. dam., socle;
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.
Comparing literature
Thompson, Robert Farris, Black Gods and Kings, Los Angeles 1971, ill. 15. X70-646