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Opon Igede Ifa - Divination Bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, Early 20th Century

About the Item

Hand-carved Opon Igede Ifa or divination bowl, Yoruba People, Nigeria, early 20th Century. A Babalawo ("diviner") of the West African Yoruba people uses an Opon Igede Ifa to store the tools of his trade. These include a divination tray, beads, cowrie shells, kola or palm nuts, divination chains, and a tapper used to awaken the gods. Divination serves to reveal and help shape one's destiny. The divination bowl emulates the form of a human head. The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn State University and Lehigh University. Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection. Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson. Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During their time in Africa, the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where they remained until 1978. In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College - Williams Art Center for an exhibition titled "Plainly Geometric - Selections of Art from West Africa". In 2018 Mrs Swanson passed away.
  • Creator:
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.85 in (25 cm)Diameter: 15.16 in (38.5 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    unknown
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Excellent patina.
  • Seller Location:
    Aramits, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6432238778132

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