An old, round, lidded vessel of the Yoruba people, made of ivory, for storing palm oil or other ‘sacred’ substances. The lid is carved at the top with a geometric relief, on top of which sits a very finely formed rider on his horse (the god Eshu?). The vessel itself is hollowed and slightly bulging. On the bulging exterior are six figures, in vertical format, carved in relief. In one strip stand two figures, a man and a woman, in each of the remaining four strips are the alternating depictions of a man and a woman. This figurally designed central section is closed off at top and bottom with an encircling zigzag line. The upper rim as well as the base at the bottom are enlarged and additionally decorated with geometric linear patterns. Between both flared ends and the actual vessel is a row of six eyelets each, very carefully carved out from the same piece. They probably served to suspend the closed vessel from cords. Style: from the region of the city of Owo, one of the three ‘sacred royal cities’ of the Yoruba people in Nigeria (Ife, Benin, Owo). This interesting old object displays an area with minimal, small breakages to the upper rim of the vessel (white) and a few fine age-related cracks. Otherwise no damage and an extraordinarily good, old shiny patina, from honey-coloured to reddish-brown, with changing patches, as is typical of very old ivory objects (the red hue originates probably from contact with palm oil). With fine, thick craquelure on the cut surfaces above and at the bottom.
A rare piece.
Height: 20.5 cm (with lid and rider); diameter: 6 cm (upper edge).
About 1900 or earlier. (ME) ASA

Provenance:
South African private collection.