Yorùbá. Figure of Shango on Horseback, early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 40 x 14 1/2 x 9 in. (101.6 x 36.8 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Corice and Armand P. Arman, 1992.133.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1992.133.4_threequarter_PS1.jpg)
Yorùbá. Figure of Shango on Horseback, early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 40 x 14 1/2 x 9 in. (101.6 x 36.8 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Corice and Armand P. Arman, 1992.133.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1992.133.4_profile_PS1.jpg)
Figure of Shango on Horseback
Yorùbá, Toibo of Erin
Arts of Africa
This figure has been attributed to the workshop of the renowned Yoruba carver Toibo, of the town of Erin. It was probably carved in the 1920s or 1930s for the timi (king) of Ede (one of the historic Yoruba kingdoms), who kept it in a shrine dedicated to the orisha (god) Shango. Equestrian figures are potent symbols of power in many parts of Africa where ownership of horses was long restricted to warriors and political leaders. In Yoruba mythology, Shango was both a king and the orisha associated with thunder and lightning.
CULTURE
Yorùbá
ARTIST
Toibo of Erin, died ca. 1937
MEDIUM
Wood, pigment
DATES
early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
40 x 14 1/2 x 9 in. (101.6 x 36.8 x 22.9 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
1992.133.4
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Corice and Armand P. Arman
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Figure on horseback, disproportionately larger than horse. Figure's head surrmounted by conical coiffure covered with blue pigment; lashes bulge out in relief; arrow- like nose; teeth exposed in open mouth. Series of incised "L" shaped lines at sides of face covering cheeks. Long neck, rounded shoulders, arms at sides bent at elbows. Garment on torso described by series of incised lines: 2 knives oriented horizontally at sides one on either hip. Horse: ears pointed upward at top of head; long face pointed at muzzle; round eyes in relief; striated tail at rear narrows at tip. CONDITION: Figure's arms broken off at level of forearm. Chips off beard P.R. side of face and at front. Piece missing from P.L. side of horses face appears sanded down. Series of parallel splits in wood running across horses neck and back. Light split through P.R. foot. Splits across surface of base. P.L. side, toward back of base: underside has been eaten away by extensive insect damage creating imbalance in figures support. Rectangular white sticker at back of neck (91A144/17).
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Yorùbá. Figure of Shango on Horseback, early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 40 x 14 1/2 x 9 in. (101.6 x 36.8 x 22.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Corice and Armand P. Arman, 1992.133.4. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1992.133.4_threequarter_PS1.jpg)
IMAGE
threequarter, 1992.133.4_threequarter_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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