251243 - Old African Yoruba Agere-ifa altar bowl - Nigeria.
Old African Agere-ifa altar bowl from the Yoruba people, Nigeria.
Carved from a single piece of wood, with color pigments.
Height: 60 cm.
This Yoruba Agere-ifa altar bowl is dated mid 20th century and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
This large Yoruba fetish pot or vessel, traditionally known as an Agere-ifa altar bowl, is a very rare piece of African art/ancient tribal sculpture with large spiritual sentimental attributes, ideal for personal religious purposes (childbirth rituals/progression rites).
The Yoruba people are the numerically significant ethnic group in Nigeria. They are primarily located in the west, but also in Togo and Benin. Ife, in southwestern Nigeria, is the spiritual homeland and oldest city of the Yoruba people, which began around the year 1000. Ife was an important cultural and artistic center.
The lid of the vessel depicts a figure riding an animal, holding a deity reminiscent of the god traditionally known as ORISHA (God of strength, success, fertility, and abundance), supported by four other figures. The vessel has an overall dark patina and is intricately decorated with elaborate motifs. This sculpture is another version of an ifa bowl.
This prestigious (valuable) bowl was originally used as a traditional gesture of hospitality, presented to guests and offered to gods during rituals.