- 53
A fine Yoruba doll
Estimate
7,000 - 10,000 USD
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Description
omolangidi, the body of plaque-like form and carved in relief with writing tablets on one side and incised motifs and a raised triangular pendant on the other, surmounted by an Eshu head with protruding eyes, scarification and wearing a pendant coiffure; fine, softly worn dark brown patina.
Provenance
Paris Collection, before 1974
Christie's New York, December 14, 1977, lot 161
Dorothy Brill Robbins, New York
Exhibited
Philadelphia, The University Museum, African Ritual Dolls, 1974
Literature
The University Museum, Philadelphia 1974: figure 65
Robbins and Nooter 1989: 569, figure 1597
Dagan 1990: 85, figure 19.3
Mazrui 1994: 52, figure 4
Catalogue Note
As Dagan (1990: 83) states omolangidi dolls 'are usually made of wood and have cylindrical or rectangular bodies and heads. Along with an example in the Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren (illustrated ibid.: 84, figure 19.2), the Brill omolangidi is believed to count among the finest examples known.