Oracle tapper "iroke ifa" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3037528

Description

ivory, honey brown patina, carved with a kneeling woman, the bottom section is hollowed out to form a small bell originally provided with an iron clapper, rep. (breakage at the rim), traces of abrasion, base;
tappers are made of wood, brass or ivory. They are used by the diviners to strike the “ifa” tray with the pointed end in order to attract Orunmilas attention at the beginning of the session. The broad end is often hollowed, forming a bell, with a small clapper inside, which is rattled during invocations.