Yoruba, Nigeria: a figure of the god ‘Eshu’, blowing on a flute (or pipe).
![Yoruba, Nigeria: a figure of the god ‘Eshu’, blowing on a flute (or pipe). - Tribal Art Yoruba, Nigeria: a figure of the god ‘Eshu’, blowing on a flute (or pipe). - Tribal Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39T170406/normal/yoruba-nigeria-eine-figur-des-gottes-eshu-wie-er-auf-einer-floete-oder-pfeife-blaest-1106806.jpg)
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.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 1,188.-
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 500.-
Yoruba, Nigeria: a figure of the god ‘Eshu’, blowing on a flute (or pipe).
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.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
Buyers hotline
Mon.-Fri.: 10.00am - 5.00pm
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
It is not possible to turn in online buying orders anymore. The auction is in preparation or has been executed already.