H x W x D: 55 × 23 × 24 cm (21 5/8 × 9 1/16 × 9 7/16 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Oyo, Nigeria
Date:
Late 20th century
Label Text:
This highly stylized form is an altar to an individual's "head." Think of it as a crown of cowries, an emblem of wealth. It is honoring those traits that come from God, that are fated rather than a result of one's own efforts, although one's actions and attitude have impact. The object is literally a container for a stylized figure, a stemmed knob on a cone, also of cowries, that is a miniature version of its house.
Description:
Cylinder topped by arches formed by two crossing bands, lower half covered with precisely aligned cowries, tips extending forward, framing four rectangular imported mirrors; one missing glass; triangular hide flaps between mirrors, one partial, one missing; flat lid with shells conforming to circle; leather trim with fine patina. Missing cowries at base. Top: two high wide crisscrossed bands forming openwork crown, upper halves covered in rows of cowries, large mirrors below; projection top center wrapped in worn red cloth; one complete tassels atop, some as braid with red fiber strips; some partial.
Provenance:
Allen C. and Barbara R. Davis,collected in Nigeria, late 1980s to 2014
Content Statement:
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