West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful and large leather and burlap bag decorated with hundreds of glass seed beads. The bag was intended for a priest or diviner known as a babalawo, to carry his tools for divination and communication with the gods and spirits. The bag is sewn from a rectangular panel of leather that is divided into four squares that features abstract, embroidered designs. The center is hand stitched with rows of beads to create stylized visages of protruding eyes, nose, and circular mouths. The burlap handle is stitched with lengthy strands of beads along the length. The beadwork must have taken many painstaking hours to complete. The faces may represent Oduduwa, a divine and heroic king that defeated numerous enemies and united the Yoruba people. Oduduwa's face symbolize the sacred authority and protection. This piece is mounted and displayed in a modern wooden fame. Size of bag: 35.5" L x 14.5" W (90.2 cm x 36.8 cm); frame: 40.25" L x 21.25" W (102.2 cm x 54 cm)

Even though the Yoruba have a long history of glassmaking, the beads used to make this special clothing were imported from the British during the late 19th century. During this period, glass beads signified high status and substantial wealth. Such petite European "seed beads" were thought to be particularly special, due to their uniform size and wide variety of colors. Wearing clothing covered with so many precious beads indicated rank and wealth. Priests assisted kings and chiefs and were also recognized as aristocracy due to their spiritual prestige.

Provenance: private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection; ex-H. Berk collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, before 2010

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#159467

Staining and discoloration of leather. Losses to beads on handle with fraying and unraveling of threads. Bag has losses to seams and unraveling of threads. Perforations and losses to leather panels. Losses and missing leather tassels. Light mineral deposits. Beaded decorations are vibrant. Professionally sewn with modern threads into a cloth backing and mounted in a modern wooden frame.