Figure
Item number 3478/1 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Tall wooden carving depicting a priestess (part a) on a square base, with a removable headdress (part b). Woman is kneeling on an hourglass-shaped seat, with four additional legs. Seat has raised chevron, cube, scale, circular and linear decorations throughout. Two birds are attached to the back of the seat, facing forward. Overtop of the front leg is a blindfolded figure holding a bird in each hand. The priestess has a wide nose, protruding eyes, large ears and long neck. She is wearing earrings, bracelets, arm bands and necklaces. The woman’s hair has incised lines and triangles throughout, and is styled in a low ponytail. Overtop of her hair is a raised circle with a square protrusion, which fits into the base of the detachable headdress. She is wearing cross body bags on either shoulder and a skirt, with a front tie and geometric design. Tucked into the back of the skirt is a child. It is wearing a hat and has a bag(?) hanging from its shoulders. In her right hand the priestess is holding a curved container(?); in her left she has a bird, that she is eating the head of. Artist signature carved on bottom of figure’s square base. The separate headdress is dome-shaped and has a veil of interlocking rings around the bottom edge. Headdress is crowned with stack of three, small circles. Four bird figures on all sides, facing inward, have their beaks against the top circle. Rest of dome is covered in raised scale, cube and linear decorations. Base of headdress has a square cutout in the centre.
Cultural Context
This figure is a copy of a carving made by Bisi Fakeye (1942–2017) who was a founding member of one of the oldest studio groups in Nigeria, Universal Studios of Art (U.S.A.) at National Theatre, Iganmu, in Lagos. Fakeye was internationally recognized and praised as a Yoruba innovator. Yemi Bamideli was his apprentice.
Narrative
Acquired by the donor in Lagos in 1988.
Item History
- Made by Yemi Bamideli (Maker) in Lagos, Nigeria during 1988
- Collected during 1988
- Owned by Joey Mallett before February 23, 2021
- Received from Joey Mallett (Donor) on February 23, 2021
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- 3478/1 a-b
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- wood
- Part A
- height 70.2 cm, width 15.8 cm, depth 15.8 cm
- Part B
- height 56.3 cm, width 12.2 cm, depth 12.8 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Lagos, Nigeria
Who
- Culture
- Yoruba
- Creator
- Yemi Bamideli (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Joey Mallett
- Received from
- Joey Mallett (Donor)
When
- Creation Date
- during 1988
- Collection Date
- during 1988
- Ownership Date
- before February 23, 2021
- Acquisition Date
- on February 23, 2021
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3478/0001 a-b
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