Arte

Interiores e decoração

Joalharia e pedras preciosas

Relógios, canetas e isqueiros

Moda

Moedas e selos

Banda desenhada e animação

Carros, motos e automobilia

Vinho, uísque e bebidas espirituosas

Arte tribal e asiática

Cromos e cartas

Brinquedos e modelismo

Arqueologia e história natural

Desporto

Música, cinema e câmeras

Livros e memorabilia histórica

Os melhores objetos trazidos até si por {name}

Julien Gauthier

A head of Olokun in the style of Ife, Nigeria, But there are different opinions about this bronze head. Another opinion, based on oral tradition, assumes that this is the portrait of a Queen of the Ooni,, different layers of encrusted oxidations of this copper-rich, reddish bronze shows a long-lasting aging process.

This bronze head exemplifies the naturalistic and highly refined casting tradition of Ife, dated to the 12th–18th centuries CE. The figure displays the characteristic idealized proportions of Ife sculpture, including a serene facial expression, delicately modelled eyes and lips, and intricate attention to surface detail, reflecting mastery in lost-wax bronze casting. Traditionally, the work has been associated with Olokun, the Yoruba deity of the sea, wealth, and spiritual mysteries, aligning with the Ife practice of expressing both divine and political authority through portraiture.

Head of an Ooni exhibited 2018, Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery (Penultimate photo sequence).

An alternative reading, grounded in oral tradition, identifies the head as a portrait of a queen of the Ooni. Proponents of this interpretation emphasize the historical role of royal women in Ife society and suggest that certain iconographic markers—such as hairstyle, scarification, and the absence of explicitly divine attributes—indicate human rather than divine representation. This dual attribution illustrates the methodological tension between stylistic analysis and oral-historical testimony, highlighting the interplay of human and divine authority in Yoruba artistic culture.

Comparable works are held in the British Museum (London), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), and the Ife National Museum (Ife, Nigeria), where similar heads provide context for both divine and royal portraiture. Related pieces can also be found in the Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery collection, reflecting continued interest and scholarly engagement with Ife bronzes, https://www.wolfgang-jaenicke.com

Olókun is an Orisha (deity) of the Yoruba and Edo peoples, associated with the sea, bodies of water, wealth, and hidden knowledge. In certain mythological accounts, Olókun is described as ruling the oceans, bringing prosperity, and appearing in male, female, or sexless/androgynous forms. For example, it is noted that “in West African areas directly adjacent to the coast, Olókun takes a male form … in the hinterland, Olókun is a female deity.” In some sources, Olókun is further identified as “the senior wife of Emperor Oduduwa,” with the explanation that “according to Yoruba traditions … Olókun – in her female incarnation – was the senior wife of Emperor Oduduwa.”

Other texts describe Olókun as “the parent of Yemoja” and in certain sources as the consort of Orunmila, the deity of divination. However, there are traditions in which Olókun is said to have no partner or offspring.

Regarding the question of Olókun as the “wife of an Ooni,” it is important to clarify that the title Ooni traditionally refers to the king of Ile‑Ife (Yoruba). A survey of scholarly and mythological sources does not provide any reliable evidence identifying Olókun as the spouse of a historical Ooni. Rather, Olókun is a mythological deity whose relationships are situated in the cosmic or divine sphere, rather than in historical or royal contexts.

Based on the literature, it can be concluded with high probability that Olókun is not a “wife of an Ooni” in any historical sense. Olókun is a deity with multiple manifestations, sometimes represented as female and/or as the consort of another Orisha (e.g., Orunmila). Given that Olókun may also appear as male or androgynous, the designation “wife of an Ooni” is not substantiated.

Comparable works include the British Museum, London (EA 3305), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (C.I.69.24.2), and the Ife National Museum, Ife (catalogue no. 154). Related pieces are also in the Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery collection. Many of these prominent bronzes were “restored” during the 1960s and 1970s in a manner that removed their original patina. Nevertheless, these objects are generally old, even if their appearance suggests otherwise. Determining their age cannot reliably be based on stylistic features alone, but must instead rely on scientific methods such as thermoluminescence analysis.

The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. In absence of test, the attribution is only provided for reference and is subject to authentication. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.

Frank Willett, Ife, plate IX (last photo sequence).

Blier, Suzanne Preston. Art and Risk in Ancient Yoruba: Ife History, Power, and Identity, c. 1300. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015. ISBN 978‑1‑107‑02166‑2. – Untersucht die Herstellung, Ikonographie und politischen Kontexte der Kupfer‑, Bronze‑ und Messingköpfe von Ife. Online-Zugang: wcfia.harvard.edu

Platte, Editha; Hambolu, Musa. Bronze Head from Ife. London: British Museum Press, 2010. ISBN 978‑0‑7141‑2592‑3. – Einführung in den Bronze-Kopf Af1939,34.1 im British Museum, mit Kontext zu Fundgeschichte, Materialtechnik und Rezeption. Online-Zugang: britishmuseumshoponline.org

Mack, John (Hrsg.). Africa: Arts and Cultures. London: 2005. – Enthält einen Aufsatz zur Skulpturtradition von Ife und bietet einen Überblick über historische und kunsthistorische Hintergründe. Online-Zugang: christas.dk

Blier, Suzanne Preston. „Art in Ancient Ife“. In: African Arts, Winter 2012, Vol. 45, No. 4. – Behandelt Gesichtsnarben, Ikonographie und politische Bedeutung, vorwegnehmend die Themen ihres Buches. Online-Zugang: Harvard Scholar

„Myths, modes of Ife sculptures“. The Nation Newspaper (Nigeria), 10. Januar, Jahr nicht angegeben. – Populärwissenschaftlicher Text über die Möglichkeit königlicher Frauen in den Skulpturen („head of a queen“). Online-Zugang: The Nation Newspaper

British Museum. „Bronze Head from Ife“ (Objektnummer Af1939,34.1). – Sammlungseintrag mit Materialdaten, Provenienz und Sammelgeschichte. Online-Zugang: britishmuseum.org

Bronze - Boas condições

Uma cabeça de bronze - Olokun - ife - Nigéria

Arte tribal e africana

Preço de reserva

Sem preço de reserva

Comprar agora

Data de fim

domingo

quarta-feira

sábado

segunda-feira

2 abril

terça-feira

3 abril

5 abril

Orçamento

Até

Localização

França

Bélgica

Alemanha

Holanda

Áustria

Itália

Espanha

Portugal

Grécia

Polônia

Finlândia

Reino Unido

Japão

Luxemburgo

Estados Unidos

Dimensões

Altura

Largura

Profundidade

Objeto

Arte e objetos tribais

Esculturas, estátuas, talhas e estatuetas tribais

Máscaras tribais

Escultura

Figura

Máscara de dança

Têxteis e vestuário tribais

Joalharia e adornos tribais

Figura ancestral

Missanga

Fetiche

Armas e escudos tribais

Estátua

Estatueta

Têxtil

Colar

Pintura

Pente

Livro

Impressão

Toalha de mesa

Apoio para cabeça

Machado

País de origem

República Democrática do Congo

Nigéria

Mali

Costa do Marfim

Gabão

Gana

Burkina Faso

Congo

Benim

Cameroon

Togo

África

Angola

Etiópia

Tanzânia

Chade

África do Sul

Quénia

Libéria

Níger

República Centro-Africana

Guiné

Material

Madeira

Bronze

Terracota

Vidro

Osso

Pele

Ferro (forjado)

Prata

Pedra

Metal

Bronze patinado

Alumínio

Latão

Cobre

Algodão

A lustro (cerâmica)

Aço

Ferro (fundido / forjado)

Baquelite

Têxteis

Buzina, Chifre

Concha

Papel

Liga

Género

Unissexo

Senhora

Homem

Estado

Bom estado

Boas condições

Excelente estado

Bom estado - usado com pequenos sinais de envelhecimento e manchas

Como novo - não foi utilizado

Condição razoável - muito usado e com possivelmente algumas pequenas peças em falta

Bom estado - foi utilizado - com alguns sinais de desgaste

Excelente estado - muito pouco usado com sinais mínimos de envelhecimento e desgaste

Precisa de restauro

excelente estado

Fraco - muito usado com grandes fissuras, danos ou peças grandes em falta

Bom estado, veja descrição

Muito bom

Muito bom estado - ligeiramente utilizado - com pequenos sinais de desgaste

Em boas condições - usado com pequenos sinais de envelhecimento.

Excelente estado - muito pouco utilizado - com sinais mínimos de desgaste

Estado razoável - foi utilizado - com sinais óbvios de desgaste

Muito bom estado, sinais muito ligeiros de desgaste

Como novo

Razoável

No geral, em bom estado, com sinais de desgaste pela idade

Em bom estado e restaurado

Bom estado, utilizado, com alguns sinais de desgaste

Muito bom +

Extras

Sem extras

Período

Final do século XX

meados do século XX

2000-2010

Início do século XX

1930-1940

1950-1960

1960-1970

1940-1950

1920-1930

Depois de 2020

1970-1980

Final do século XIX

1980-1990

2010-2020

1990-2000

1910-1920

1850-1900

1900-1910

1800-1850

meados do século XIX

Início do século XIX

2022

Início do século XVII

1400-1450

2020

Certificação

Sem relatório de um laboratório

Tema

Retrato

Cultura pop

Sudeste Asiático

Cena diurna

Arte e cultura tribal

Antropologia

Oceânia

Estilo

Antigo

Arte naif

Arte Folk

Ásia Antiga

Arte déco

Arte tribal e africana

Este objeto já não está disponível, mas ainda há muito para explorar

Uma cabeça de bronze - Olokun - ife - Nigéria

Popular em Arte tribal e africana

1367 objetos

Coleções relacionadas