Yoruba divination tray - Ifá - Yoruba - Togo
04
days
18
hours
56
minutes
44
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier
With almost a decade of experience bridging science, museum curation, and traditional blacksmithing, Julien has developed a unique expertise in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 250 - € 300
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 123113 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Plateau de divination Opon ifa Yoruba, a Yoruba divination board from Togo, 31 x 27.5 cm, in good condition, provenance: Collection privée.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Splendid antique divination plateau from West Africa.
Purchased in Togo
Yoruba Tradition
Private family collection
Supports of the ritualist named Babalawo (or Babalao, or Babaaláwo, pronounced Baba-a-láwo), priest of Ifa, in Yoruba language, these platters exist in three forms, including the circular one (opon ribiti) like this example.
Intended for the Ifa, a divination system that represents the teachings of Wisdom.
Babalawo claim to secure the future through their communication with Orunmila. In Yoruba thought, the orishas form a variety of divine spirits controlling natural forces. They are primarily found in Yoruba cosmogony but more broadly in West Africa and in the diasporas of Central and South America. The central part of the plateau, aarin opon, forms a tableau in which the dust from the wood allows the priest-diviner to trace solutions to his client's problem. The outer frieze, where the face of Esu/Elegba (often the eyes), the divine messenger, appears, depicts mythological scenes in relief, the Yoruba conception of life, references to fertility, and so on. During the divination process, to invoke the orishas and accompany his chants, the diviner strikes the plateau with a carved wooden or ivory rattle (iroké).
Twenty-five million Yoruba are spread across Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
Very good overall condition
31 x 27.5 cm
Careful and prompt shipment.
Splendid antique divination plateau from West Africa.
Purchased in Togo
Yoruba Tradition
Private family collection
Supports of the ritualist named Babalawo (or Babalao, or Babaaláwo, pronounced Baba-a-láwo), priest of Ifa, in Yoruba language, these platters exist in three forms, including the circular one (opon ribiti) like this example.
Intended for the Ifa, a divination system that represents the teachings of Wisdom.
Babalawo claim to secure the future through their communication with Orunmila. In Yoruba thought, the orishas form a variety of divine spirits controlling natural forces. They are primarily found in Yoruba cosmogony but more broadly in West Africa and in the diasporas of Central and South America. The central part of the plateau, aarin opon, forms a tableau in which the dust from the wood allows the priest-diviner to trace solutions to his client's problem. The outer frieze, where the face of Esu/Elegba (often the eyes), the divine messenger, appears, depicts mythological scenes in relief, the Yoruba conception of life, references to fertility, and so on. During the divination process, to invoke the orishas and accompany his chants, the diviner strikes the plateau with a carved wooden or ivory rattle (iroké).
Twenty-five million Yoruba are spread across Nigeria, Benin, and Togo.
Very good overall condition
31 x 27.5 cm
Careful and prompt shipment.
Details
Indigenous object name
Ifá
Ethnic group/ culture
Yoruba
Country of Origin
Togo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Yoruba divination tray
Height
31 cm
Width
27.5 cm
Provenance
Private collection
Sold by
