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African & Tribal Art :
Masterpieces of African Art : Yoruba Beaded Container
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Yoruba Beaded Container - PF.5131
Origin: Southwestern Nigeria
Circa: 20th
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
11.5" (29.2cm) high
x 6" (15.2cm) wide
Collection: African Art
Medium: Beads, Metal
$6,000.00
Location: United States
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| Description |
This container is meant to rest near the Oba's
pillow, as part of his royal paraphernalia. It
resembles the Oba's crown (Adenla) in shape and
imagery. On the lower portion or base are four
frontal faces alternating green and orange as the
primary color. In between are rosettes also of
red/orange and green. They continue on the
upper, sloping sides in a variety of colors, with
single leaves positioned around the middle rim.
The most striking aspect is the “crown” of birds,
comprising four bird-heads and a large one on
top, each with hooked beaks of metal. Elegant in
shape with wings of yellow and a long trailing tail
of white strands, this charming avian is the "royal
bird", much admired by the Yoruba. Birds are
symbols of the "witches of the night" and the
power of women, which both diviners and kings
must be on good terms with in order to work their
magic and to rule. By interweaving a multitude of
colors with vigorous designs the artist has given
this container a vibrant sense of energy, of light
and dark, of coolness and warmth in perfect
relationship to each other.
- (PF.5131)
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