250972 - Old Rare Yoruba medicine Altar - Nigeria.
Rare Old African Yoruba Altar, Nigeria.
Carved from a single piece of wood, with horns and tusks.
Size: 34 cm x 33 cm.
This Yoruba altar is dated is from the first half of the 20th century, collected from a Belgium collector in 1948 and with a certificate of authenticity.
This wooden medicine altar is carved from a single piece of wood. The seated human figure appears to represent a man. It is carved with classic Yoruba facial features: heavy eyelids, bulging almond-shaped eyes, a flared nose, and compressed full lips, with large ears. The body is adorned with animal teeth. In each hand, the figure holds two amulets. The hat is decorated with natural seeds. This medicine altar originates from the Yoruba, who live along the border between southwestern Nigeria and present-day Benin (Dahomey). The Yoruba carving is clearly evident here: the downward gaze and subtle scars on the cheeks, accompanied by the rounded forehead. This altar is adorned with two horns and two tusks.