Wooden figure representing the god Eshu, Nigeria, 1880-1920

Made:
1880-1920 in Nigeria
maker:
Yoruba people
Carved wooden figure of Eshu Elegba kneeling and holding Carved wooden figure of Eshu Elegba kneeling and holding

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

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Carved wooden figure of Eshu Elegba kneeling and holding
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Carved wooden figure of Eshu Elegba kneeling and holding
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Carved wooden figure of Eshu Elegba kneeling and holding notched stuck under chin, with backward curving hooked headdress, Yoruba, West African, 1880-1920

A wooden figure in the form of Eshu, a god of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. In Yoruba tradition, Eshu is described as a figure of trickery and surprise. In common with other depictions of Eshu, he is seen here playing a flute.

Details

Category:
Ethnography and Folk Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A167143
Materials:
wood
Measurements:
overall: 355 mm x 100 mm x 133 mm, 0.616 kg
type:
statue
credit:
Sothebys