Masterpiece of the Yoruba - Cup carrier - Hardwood polychrome painted - arugba sango - Yoruba - - Wood, indigo - Yoruba - Nigeria, Igbomina - Omu-Aran

Provenance: M. Jean Francois Parry, Paris Private collection of ex. Dir. Gerhard Vesely, Ethnogalerie Museum Schmiding, Austria. . Larger bowl carriers were mostly displayed by the Yoruba in shrines to the god Shango (god of thunder) or his wife, the goddess Oya. They symbolised 'worshipers' or priestesses who made sacrifices to these gods. Visitors to the shrines also made offerings in their bowls. In everyday life, in the homes of wealthy families, such smaller figures were used to offer guests kola nuts in the bowls.