Yoruba Opon Igede Ifa Divination Box, Nigeria PROVENANCE

$ 2,400.00 $ 4,800.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Yoruba Opon Igede Ifa Divination Box, Nigeria PROVENANCE
  • Very unusual shape: a square divination tray on a round box. The tray with a border of carved animals.  1st half 20th century
  • The Yoruba typically turn to a babalawo (diviner) when seeking advice or faced with an illness. An agere Ifa is a object that forms part of the divination ensemble. It, along with an iroke Ifa, opon Ifa, palm nuts and a number of other objects, are used to invoke the god Orunmila (also called Ifa, the god associated with wisdom, knowledge and divination) during divination processes.
  • During the divination process, a set of 16 sacred divination palm nuts (ikin) is removed from an igede Ifa and placed in smaller divination cups (agere Ifa) where they are displayed and elevated by a variety of figures, both human and animal. The 16 sacred palm nuts (or a divination chain - opele Ifa) are shaken to reveal wisdom and communication from Orunmila. These verses (odu) are then transferred onto the dusted opon Ifa tray, translated and recited by the babalawo for the client to reflect upon and take action. When divination apparatus is not in use, they are stored various compartments within the igede Ifa, and in some regions the bowls are used in place of the agere Ifa cups.
  • Materials: Hardwood
  • Measurements: 40 x 40 x 14 cm. 
  • Condition: Excellent with evidence of Ritual Use
  • Provenance: From the collection of Ursula Voorhuis (1932-2021), St. Agatha, The Netherlands. She was the first collector/dealer who brought Yoruba art under the attention of Western dealers and collectors. 
    View details