**Originally Listed At $500**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive and intricate ceremonial reliquary figure carved from wood and ornamented in glass beads, animal fur, metal tinkers and rings, cowrie shells, giant snail shells, and cloth! The woman kneels on a thick leather panel over a giant snail shell flanked by a pair of drums or baskets made of hide and covered in goat or ungulate fur, metal ornament, and small calabash gourds. The woman's surface is entirely covered with beads, and she wears a skirt made from strands of disc beads as well as a necklace and a snail shell pendant. Her upward arms hold a cloth covered calabash shape finial dotted with cowrie shells and iron rings and conical tinkers. A raised beaded lizard and a face that represents Oduduwa - a divine and heroic king that symbolizes sacred authority and protection - are sewn onto opposite sides of the calabash. Size: 13" L x 10" W x 37" H (33 cm x 25.4 cm x 94 cm); 38.5" H (97.8 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#136142

Heavy dark patina and mineral deposits. Loosening and some losses to a few ornaments and beads but overall very good. Minor tears to cloth and russet patina on metal items.