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Catalog Data

Maker:
?l?´w?` of Ise, born ca. 1875–1938, Nigeria  Search this
Medium:
Wood
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 16 x 32.7 x 34.1 cm (6 5/16 x 12 7/8 x 13 7/16 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Ekiti region, Nigeria
Date:
Before 1938
Label Text:
This bowl is attributed to Olowe of Ise because of its unique cantilevered bowl within a bowl design and because of the vigorous style of the geometric relief carvings. In particular the "X in a rectangular panel" motif is found on other Olowe sculptures, notably the figures with bowls in this museum's collection. The form of this design has been compared to that of the Yoruba divination board.
The function of this bowl is not known, however scholars have suggested that it could have been used by a diviner.
Description:
Small wood cantilevered bowl suspended above the center of a larger bowl. The rims, interior handle and outer sides of the large bowl feature carved geometric patterns and lizards. There is also the X within a rectangle pattern found on Olowe's other bowls.
Provenance:
Andre Schoeller, -- to 1974
Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York, 1974 to 1984
Walt Disney Co., 1984 to 2005
Exhibition History:
Olowe of Ise: A Yoruba Sculptor to Kings, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 15-September 7, 1998
Santa Ana 1991-97
Art of Two Ancient African Kingdoms: From the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection of African Art, Orlando Museum of Art, 1991-1992
The Art of Nigeria, Orlando Museum of Art, 1987-1988
For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1981, no. 54
Published References:
Foss, Perkins. 1981. "African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection." African Arts 15 (1), p. 32, no. 6.
Hotel Drouet. 1974. Art Primitif. Auction catalogue. Paris, no. 6.
Ross, Doran. 1982, p. 13.
Vogel, Susan (ed). 1981. For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 102-103, no. 54.
Walker, Roslyn. 1998. Olowe of Ise: A Yoruba Sculptor to Kings. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 100-101, no. 29.
Walker, Roslyn Adele. 1998. Olowe of Ise: A Yoruba Sculptor to Kings. Exhibition brochure. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, no. 34 (not illustrated).
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
Divination  Search this
geometric motif  Search this
lizard  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company
Object number:
2005-6-167
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7f62bf0b0-4fd9-478e-96bf-3e545e71021f
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2005-6-167