Click image to view full screen
Shrine Figure for Sàngó
✓ Authenticity guarantee · ✓ Specialist condition report · ✓ Insured worldwide shipping · ✓ Private-room viewing
Sàngó is a king turned god in the Yorùbâ cosmology. One of the many òrìṣà—a god or divine spirit—that Yorùbá people can become devotees of and appeal to, Sàngó is often associated with lightning and thunder. The shape atop the female figure's head is the double-axe symbol of Sàngó. She wears a triangle-shaped amulet, waist beads, and bracelets, all signifying that she is a priestess. Standing on a base, rather than a handle, this figure was likely placed in a shrine dedicated to Sàngó.
| Artist / Maker | Anonymous, Yorùbá-style maker |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 1910 |
| Culture / Origin | Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker |
| Medium | Wood, probably bluing, and organic material |
| Dimensions | Overall: 38.7 cm (15 1/4 in.) |
| Department | African Art |
| Type | Sculpture |
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
Fine-art shipping with climate control and full insurance to over 120 countries; collection by appointment.
Buying at Matchless Pieces
Register, verify your identity, and bid online or in a private room. Buyer’s premium and taxes are shown before you confirm.
