Lot 193: A fine Yoruba divination tapper

Yoruba, Nigeria; H: 11"

Probably from Ketu, the tapper in the form of a female devotee offering her breasts. Well carved in regional style with remains of the original polychrome pigments.

Comments:
Divination among the Yoruba is the domain of Ifa priests, known as Babalawo. The complex rite of Yoruba divination unifies the supplicant to the deity Orunmila, who knows all people’s destinies. Divination tappers ichnographically depict a dazzling array of subjects related to Yoruba thought and having didactic qualities. The tapper depicting a female figure may be representational of all those who come to learn of their destiny through Ifa divination.

Provenance:
- Zollman Collection, IND
- Gelbard collection, NY

Publication History:
Remnants of Ritual: Selections from the Gelbard collection of African Art (2003) Bourgeois & Rodolitz; Pg. 19 Fig. 44

Exhibition History:
Exhibition History: USA: "Remnants of Ritual, Selections from the Gelbard Collection of African Art":
- University Park, IL: Governors State University, February 2003
- Krannert, IL: Krannert Art Museum, 26 August-26 October, 2003
- Kansas City, MO: Belger Art Foundation/UNIVERSITY of Missouri-
Kansas City, 2004
- Park Forest, IL: Tall Grass Art Association, 2005

Price Realized: $450

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