post with two figures; bottom maternity figure is kneeling and holding two sticks presented vertically and touching the base of the post; bottom figure supports a circular bowl shaped platform which supports a male equestrian figure with elaborate saddle and trappings; figure wears a conical shaped crown decorated with the faces of past rulers; metal mount

Ancestral Post, c. 1910

expand_more
Not on Viewexpand_more

Most of the African master carvers remain unidentified. But some artists are known, and are still remembered and celebrated today. Agbonbiofe, a member of the famous Adeshina carver family, is one of them. He made this post for a Yoruba royal palace, where it supported the roof of a veranda lining the king’s reception courtyard. The two-tiered composition depicts a mounted king wearing a conical crown like the one on view nearby and a kneeling female figure that supports and sustains the king.

file_downloadprintshare
arrow_back home
Explore

Audio

Ancestral Post, Yoruba (#596)
Details
Title
Ancestral Post
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2004.25
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know

Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.

post with two figures; bottom maternity figure is kneeling and holding two sticks presented vertically and touching the base of the post; bottom figure supports a circular bowl shaped platform which supports a male equestrian figure with elaborate saddle and trappings; figure wears a conical shaped crown decorated with the faces of past rulers; metal mount