Early 20th C. Yoruba Painted Wood Shango Altar Base

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba peoples, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden altar base used in ritual ceremonies by members of the Cult of Shango, the Yoruba deity of thunder and lightning. The altar base takes the form of a kneeling female Shango follower holding a pair of ritual dance instruments in front of perky breasts, with broad shoulders, and thick arms. The head boasts semicircular eyes and a smiling mouth detailed with applied white pigment, several scarification marks across the cheeks, cupped ears, and a crested coiffure accentuated with natural indigo pigment. The top of the altar bears a few small holes into which ritual dance wands and other Shango-related instruments were placed. Size: 10.5" W x 13.25" H (26.7 cm x 33.7 cm).

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private New York, USA collection

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#147733
Condition Report: Small chips and abrasions to areas of periphery, female figure, and top, with fading to original pigmentation, light softening to some finer details, and minor encrustations within some recessed areas. Light earthen deposits and fine traces of original pigment throughout.