Female Altar figure for Shango · Nigéria, Yoruba · ID: 3033286
Harald & Ursula Suhr, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada / Germany (1986)
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, blue and white pigment, kneeling on a round base, with the left hand holding a cola nut, with the right one a chicken, carrying a child on the back, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (chicken, base), cracks, traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
featuring stylistic traits from the workshop of Efon-Alaye, whose most famous member was the master carver Agbonbiofe.
Probably an altar figure. The Yoruba rarely depict the deities themselves but rather their worshippers and priests. They are meant to illustrate the dignity of sacrificing and the concerns (in this case probably fertility) of the sacrificing persons.
Just like in art tradition of all nations the motive of motherhood plays an important role for African ethnies as well. These statues primarily are said to have a fertilizing power.