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Ifá diviner’s necklace (òdìgbà Ifá)
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The use of colorful glass beads adds luster to the divination session and underlines the high status diviners enjoy in Yorùbá society. Like kings, diviners derive their authority from the otherworld, òrún. A beaded necklace with two beaded pouches is an accessory carried by the itinerant Yorùbá diviner. Substances sewn into the miniature bags protect the diviner and ensure his power.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Yorùbá-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | 1900s |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker |
| Medium | Cloth, glass beads, cardboard, cotton, probably wool, and wood |
| Dimensions | Overall: 49.5 cm (19 1/2 in.); Bag: 21.5 x 19.6 cm (8 7/16 x 7 11/16 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Tools and Equipment |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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