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THB19th C. Yoruba Textile & Cowrie "Shrine of the Head"
Lot 227
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,000 - $1,500
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
May 18, 2023
Set Reminder
2023-05-18 10:00:00
2023-05-18 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Ancient | Asian | Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-asian-ethnographic-art-12797
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, more! All legally acquired, legal to sell. Satisfaction guaranteed. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Featuring classical antiquities, ancient, and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe. Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, Asian, Pre-Columbian, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial, Fossils, more! All legally acquired, legal to sell. Satisfaction guaranteed. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (399)
- Lot Description
**First Time At Auction**
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An interesting textile shell shrine container shaped like crown known as "ile ori," which translates to "house of the head" - honoring a person's head where their personality and therefore soul resided. The thick cotton cloth structure is sewn together with a leather and cloth arching finial then covered with cowrie shells and rectangular glass mirrors. The ile ori was a house for the ibori shrine, which would have been a cone shaped sculpture filled with significant items important to the owner. The ile ori protected and added power to the ibori, the cowrie shells were believed to increase good fortune since they were used as currency. Size: 10" Diameter x 21.5" H (25.4 cm x 54.6 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.
In Yoruba culture a person's true character and soul was inside their head - their inner, secret thoughts- as well as their major sensory organs – therefore the head must be treated with respect. Not all heads are perfect and not all people have an easy life, and thus a person would make sacrifices for their ibori shrine. A person's good and bad luck were determined by their offerings and how they treated their shrine. Those motivated to achieve greatness would cover their ibori and ile ori with as many shells as possible and other suitable adornments.
Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.
Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#176358Missing mirror panels with cloudiness and loss to reflective surfaces on the remaining panels. Tears to cylindrical top part of the crown. Discoloration and staining throughout as shown. Tears and fraying to threads and cloth on finial. Overall good condition.Condition
- Shipping Info
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