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Dimitri André

A small divination Ifa figure in wood with a used old patina.

H= 9 cm

Esu (also called Eshu, Elegba) is believed to be the messenger of Yoruba gods, bearer of sacrifices, guardian of the ritual way of life and often also seen as the ‘trickster god’.

To represent Esu’s presence, Yoruba diviners (babalawos) make use of miniature heads (ikin ifa also called irin ifa, ela, obuntun ifa or olorin ikin meaning ‘head or leader of the palm nuts’) during the Ifa divination processes. 

Placed beside divination trays (opon Ifa), the heads form part of the divination ensemble, along with an agere Ifa, iroke Ifa, palm nuts and a number of other objects, used to invoke the god Orunmila (also called Ifa, the god associated with wisdom, knowledge and divination).

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Early 20th century - Excellent 

divination figure - Wood - Ifa - Yoruba - Nigeria 

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

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Closing date

tomorrow

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11 March

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Location

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Dimensions

Height

Width

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Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Mask

Sculpture

Textile

Tribal textiles and clothing

Dance mask

Ancestor figure

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Painting

Fetish figure

Bracelet

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Figurehead

Tribal books manuscripts and catalogues

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Catalogue

Ancient masks

Artwork

Doll

Whistle

Tribal furniture

Country of origin

Mali

DR Congo

Nigeria

Congo

Côte d'Ivoire

Gabon

Africa

Cameroon

Ghana

Burkina Faso

Côte d’Ivoire

Benin

Chad

Tanzania

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola

Ethiopia

Indonesia

South Africa

Haiti

Liberia

Niger

Kenya

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Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Glass

Silver

Copper

Aluminium

Stone

Patinated bronze

Ebony

Iron (wrought)

Brass

Metal

Iron (cast)

Leather

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Cotton

Wool

Alloy

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Gender

Unisex

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Condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

As new - unused

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Needs restoration

Excellent

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Fair

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

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

Good condition, see description

As new

Very good

Very good condition, very light signs of wear

Overall in good condition

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Very good +

Extras

No extra's

without manual without box

with manual

Period

Mid 20th century

Late 20th century

2000-2010

1950-1960

1980-1990

1930-1940

Early 20th century

1960-1970

1990-2000

1940-1950

1970-1980

1920-1930

2020+

1900-1910

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2010-2020

1850-1900

1910-1920

Early 19th century

Mid 19th century

1650-1700

Early 18th century

Aravidu dynasty (16th - 17th century)

1400-1450

1750-1800

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Portrait

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Style

Antique

Ancient Asian

Naive Art

Art Deco

Contemporary

Bauhaus

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Folk Art

Country

African & Tribal Art

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divination figure - Wood - Ifa - Yoruba - Nigeria

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