Pair of beaded panels · Nigeria, Yoruba · ID: 3052243
Starting price
EUR 1,000
Estimated price
EUR 2,000
Provenance
American CollectionSize
M: 30 x 30 cm & 31,5 x 29,5 cm
M: 30 x 11.8 inch & 31,5 x 11.6 inch
Description
fabric, polychrome miniature glass beads, thread, mounted on metal frames
Possibly used as dance panels “yata”, which were worn in pairs on the hips on crossed straps. They were used in honour of various Yoruba deities (“orisha”) at annual festivals (according to Witte, 2004, p. 234).
It is also conceivable that these panels once formed front and back of an “apo ileke” bag, as used by the sorcerer “babalawo” to store important utensils for divination (cf. Drewal, 1998, p. 234).
Comparing literature
Witte, Hans, A Closer Look, Berg en Dal 2004 Drewal, Henry John & John Mason, Beads, Body and Soul, Los Angeles 1998, p. 244