Palace post "opo" ·  Nigeria, Yoruba, Ekiti, Efon Alaye, Agbonbiofe or workshop · ID: 3047095

Description

wood, paint residues, encrusted patina, base

This work of art is either by the famous sculptor Agbonbiofe (ca. 1880-1945) or by one of his students from the highly esteemed Adesina clan.

House posts belong to the most important and prominent sculptures of Yoruba Art. Aside from their function as architectural sculptures to support roofs and hallways in royal palaces, their foremost and symbolic task was to demonstrate royal power and strength.

In this object, the importance of the ruler is expressed above all by the fact that he is depicted much larger than the accompanying figures.The beautiful kneeling female figure at the base symbolizes fertility and the continuity of the lineage.

The object Palace post “opo” with the object ID 3047095 was part of the auction 95th Tribal Art Auction on October 24, 2020. The object with the lot number 90 achieved a sales price of EUR 7,500 with an asking price of EUR 6,000.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Kecskési, Maria, Kunst aus Afrika, München, London, New York 1999, ill. 69