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Preview image of work. wood,  Ifá Divination Tray (Opon Ifa) 28295

2014.31.13

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Ifá Divination Tray (Opon Ifa)

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Artists

Artist Unidentified (Yorùbá) [formerly attributed to Artist Unidentified (Nigerian)];

Title

Ifá Divination Tray (Opon Ifa)

Creation Date

1900-1961

Century

20th century

Dimensions

12 1/2 x 14 in. (31.75 x 35.56 cm)

Classification

Sculpture

Creation Place

West Africa, Nigeria

Medium and Support

wood

Credit Line

Gift of Dorothy A. Hassfeld made in memory of the Otun Shoun, Chief N.D. Oyerinde, OBE

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

2014.31.13

Object Description

Donor's Notes (Transcribed by Curator, Joachim Homann):
-Note Esu at top - protector from evil
-Ifá refers to the system of divination and the verses of the literary corpus known as the Odù Ifá. Yoruba religion and tradition identifies Orunmila as the Grand Priest, as he who revealed Oracle divinity to the world. Such is his association with the Oracle divinity; in some instances, the term "??rúnmìlà" is used interchangeably with Ifá. The (opon Ifa) or tray and (iroke Ifa) or tapper are used in Ifa divination, a central ritual within Ifa tradition. This tray, adorned with carved images and dusted with powder, serves as the template on which sacred signs (odu) related to the personal concerns of a diviner's client are traced as the point of departure for analysis.

Additional Media

Additional Image reverse
reverse