Opon Ifa (Divination Tray and Bowl)

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Opon Ifa (Divination Tray and Bowl)

Place of OriginNigeria

DateEarly 20th century

DimensionsBowl with tray and lid: H : 8 in. (20.3 cm); Diam: 17 in. (43.2 cm).
Tray lid: H: 4 in. (10.2 cm).
Tray: Diam: 16 in. (40.6 cm).
Bowl: Diam: 4 in. (10.2 cm).

MediumWood

ClassificationSculpture

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

2004.7A-B

Not on View

DescriptionThis is an opon Ifa, or Ifa tray, a divination tray, carved by a Yoruba sculptor in the region of Ekiti (in northeast Yorubaland, Nigeria) from a single large piece of wood, in the form of a lid with low relief decoration that fits a bowl with five compartments. At 44 cm diameter, this is a large example. Match marks, in the form of a pair of eyes, are carved on one side of lid and bowl to show where they fit together. This is an opon Ifa, or Ifa tray, a divination tray, carved by a Yoruba sculptor in the region of Ekiti (in northeast Yorubaland, Nigeria) from a single large piece of wood, in the form of a lid with low relief decoration that fits a bowl with five compartments. At 44 cm diameter, this is a large example. Match marks, in the form of a pair of eyes, are carved on one side of lid and bowl to show where they fit together.

Published References

"Recent acquisitions," Newsletter of the Decorative Arts Society, Inc., vol. 13, no. 1, Spring 2005, p. 18.

Exhibition History

New York, Pace Primative, African Art, March 2004 (no catalogue.)

Toledo Museum of Art, Student Curators Present: African Art, April 27-July 24, 2012 (Hitchcock Gallery).