The god ‘Eshu’ is one of the sixteen main gods of the large ethnic group of the Yoruba people in south-west Nigeria (more than 20 million). He is easily identifiable by his long braid, which in his representations always hangs down from the back of his head. The Yoruba god Eshu is a so-called ‘trickster god’. He may do good as well as evil. Hence, he needs to be appeased, by means of sacrifices, honour, and visits to his temples.
The present figure of the god ‘Eshu’ is carved of hard wood in typical Yoruba style and painted completely black. It has a proportionally large head, notably protruding, large eyes (in the style of the Oyo region) and displays at the back the characteristic, long ‘Eshu braid’. In this representation, the god Eshu plays on a flute (or pipe), wears a jacket and stands with his legs apart on a round plinth, carved out from the same piece. Minimal, slight, old cracks to the head and plinth. Otherwise no damage.
Height: 28 cm; width: c. 9.5 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private Collection of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna.

Lit.: ‘Yoruba. Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought’ by H. J. Drewal & J. Pemberton III, ill. 24, 24.