Yoruba Brass Equestrian Sculpture, 19th Century CE - 20th Century CE
Brass
5.85 x 7.9
X.1008 (LSO)
This impressive brass sculpture of a woman (?) on an undersized horse was made by the Yoruba of Nigeria. The human figure is made in a manner indicative of the...
This impressive brass sculpture of a woman (?) on an undersized horse was made by the Yoruba of Nigeria. The human figure is made in a manner indicative of the Ijebu style, and additionally has a very large head, a small body and nugatory legs that are wrapped around the horse. The arms are short, the hands gathered together on the abdomen. The head is capped with a small, ornate hat and a cluster of bells. The horse is slightly unusually shaped, with a high rump and extended forelimbs. The head is somewhat small, with a relief make, almond-shaped eyes and a halter-reins set attached to rings on the neck.
The Yoruba peoples of Nigeria have what is probably the longest extant artistic tradition in Africa. The nation state is comprised of numerous subsections that were joined historically by the rise and collapse of the Ife (12th to 15th centuries) and Benin (13th to 19th centuries) polities. Each of the sub-kingdoms – including Oyo, Ijebu and smaller units towards the west – had their heyday, and are loosely united through language and culture, although they still retain a measure of independence in terms of artistic tradition. It is extremely hard to summarise the nature of Yoruba society given the large area they cover and the inevitable variability of their customs.
The Yoruba – being a large, complex society – is sedentary, agriculturist and hierarchical. They are ruled by hereditary kings known as Obas, and their access to the supernatural world is supervised by a very complex arrangement of priests (i.e. Olowa) and spiritual intermediaries. They also have a deeply established aristocracy and social order, which is reflected in Yoruba artworks. The association between social elites and horses is well-established in every human society where the latter are available, and it was common to show aristocrats as warriors and powerful rulers, mounted on their steeds. The horses are often very small in relation to the rider, as they – along with weapons, jewellery and ornate clothing – are intended to be trappings which reflect the individuals’ status. This particular individual, of female, likely represents an Oba’s wife (Iyoba) or similarly elite potentate.
This is a truly impressive piece of African art.
The Yoruba peoples of Nigeria have what is probably the longest extant artistic tradition in Africa. The nation state is comprised of numerous subsections that were joined historically by the rise and collapse of the Ife (12th to 15th centuries) and Benin (13th to 19th centuries) polities. Each of the sub-kingdoms – including Oyo, Ijebu and smaller units towards the west – had their heyday, and are loosely united through language and culture, although they still retain a measure of independence in terms of artistic tradition. It is extremely hard to summarise the nature of Yoruba society given the large area they cover and the inevitable variability of their customs.
The Yoruba – being a large, complex society – is sedentary, agriculturist and hierarchical. They are ruled by hereditary kings known as Obas, and their access to the supernatural world is supervised by a very complex arrangement of priests (i.e. Olowa) and spiritual intermediaries. They also have a deeply established aristocracy and social order, which is reflected in Yoruba artworks. The association between social elites and horses is well-established in every human society where the latter are available, and it was common to show aristocrats as warriors and powerful rulers, mounted on their steeds. The horses are often very small in relation to the rider, as they – along with weapons, jewellery and ornate clothing – are intended to be trappings which reflect the individuals’ status. This particular individual, of female, likely represents an Oba’s wife (Iyoba) or similarly elite potentate.
This is a truly impressive piece of African art.