Divination rattle
Nigéria, Urhobo
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Jacques Carelmann, Paris, FranceTaille
H: 42 cm
H: 16.5 inch
Description
wood, partly encrusted greyish brown patina, remains of kaolin, paddle-shaped, one side carved in relief with a reptile (crocodile?), the handle carved with stylized human heads, seeds attached, min. dam., missing parts (seeds), traces of abrasion;
the Urhobo are a small Edo-speaking ethnical group living in the northwestern part of the Nigerdelta. They make sculptures of terracotta and wood for worshipping the ancestors and supernatural powers, as well as wooden masks which are said to be connected with earth- and water spirits.