Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Dimitri André

Ethnic group: Yoruba / Yorouba.
   Country of origin: Benin. 
   Estimated age: around 1950.
   Main material: wood. 
   Aspect of surface:  Used. 
   Apparent condition: very good condition. 
   State of preservation: in its original condition. 
   Provenance: former private collection, France. 
   Dimensions, in cm:  21 x 18 cm. 
   Weight, in grams:  690 grams. 

Everyday object of the Vodoun cults and used by the Fa Oracles. 
The Fâ (Ifa, afa, who originates from Ré-Ifé, the mother-city of the Yoruba) is not a god but an oracle, a means of divination, the Vodoun geomancy.  
The Fâ is the spokesman of all the gods who will express themselves through him. 

It it the soothsayer, the Babalawo, “the father who has the secret” who consults. 
He uses a plate ornamented with little scenes, and there is always the representation of Esu on the rim. 

The babalawo hits the plate with a mallet or uses a bell ; then he uses 16 palm nuts that he manipulates in his hands.  
Depending on the position of the nuts in his left hand, he will draw signs in the powder placed on the plate. 
He will then interpret the signs thanks to an important literary corpus: the odu.  
Adapted from Bastin M.-L. Introduction aux Arts de l’Afrique Noire, Arnouville.

Around 1950 - Very good condition - Everyday object

Fa Ifa Oracle divination pot - YORUBA - Nigeria

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Closing date

Wednesday

Monday

Tuesday

26 December

27 December

Thursday

28 December

Budget

From

Location

Belgium

France

The Netherlands

Spain

Italy

Germany

Portugal

Austria

Poland

United States

Hong Kong

Croatia

Japan

Luxembourg

Malta

Romania

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Book

Sculpture

Print

Dagger

Painting

Tribal textiles and clothing

Figure

Mask

Fetish figure

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Short sword

Giclée

Statue

Carving

Shield

Dance mask

Cane

Stool

Bead

Ancestor figure

Spear

Country of origin

DR Congo

Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Côte d'Ivoire

Gabon

Africa

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Niger

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ghana

Angola

Ethiopia

South Africa

Tanzania

Benin

Chad

Côte d’Ivoire

Kenya

Morocco

Rwanda

Central African Republic

Material

Wood

Bronze

Brass

Silver

Glass

Iron (cast/wrought)

Terracotta

Copper

Leather

Iron (wrought)

Bone

Textiles

Stone

Patinated bronze

Iron (cast)

Softwood

Murano glass

Steel

Aluminium

Earthenware

Metal

Iron

Alloy

Hardwood

Clay

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

Good

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Fair

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Excellent

Very good

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

As new - unused

Very good condition, see description

Overall in fair condition with traces of ageing and usage

Fair condition, see description

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Needs restoration

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Fine

Reasonable

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Period

Mid 20th century

2020+

2000-2010

Late 20th century

Early 20th century

1950-1960

1920-1930

1910-1920

1930-1940

1960-1970

1990-2000

1940-1950

Late 19th century

1900-1910

2010-2020

1850-1900

1970-1980

1980-1990

Early 19th century

21st century

Mid 19th century

1800-1850

1921-1950

Late 18th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Pop Culture

Anthropology

Landscape

Photography

Portrait

Colonial history

Regional interest

Summer scene

Animals and wildlife

Reference

Tribal art and culture

Archaeology

Applied art

Illustrated

Religion

Topography

Travels

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Fa Ifa Oracle divination pot - YORUBA - Nigeria

Popular in African & Tribal Art

786 objects

Related collections

Cookies

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Fa Ifa Oracle divination pot - YORUBA - Nigeria

Popular in African & Tribal Art

786 objects

Related collections