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Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Yoruba Brass Oba's Celt, 18th Century CE - 19th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Yoruba Brass Oba's Celt, 18th Century CE - 19th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Yoruba Brass Oba's Celt, 18th Century CE - 19th Century CE
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Yoruba Brass Oba's Celt, 18th Century CE - 19th Century CE

Yoruba Brass Oba's Celt, 18th Century CE - 19th Century CE

Brass
13.25
PF.4887
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EYoruba%20Brass%20Oba%27s%20Celt%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E18th%20Century%20CE%20%20-%20%2019th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3EBrass%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E13.25%3C/div%3E

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Objects in brass and bronze are usually reserved for use by kings and high ranking persons. Yoruba kings (Obas) uses scepters, staffs and celts as part of ritual ceremonies; to...
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Objects in brass and bronze are usually reserved for use by kings and high ranking persons. Yoruba kings (Obas) uses scepters, staffs and celts as part of ritual ceremonies; to bless their followers and also to demonstrate their authority by displaying impressive objects. As part of the power imagery on this beautiful celt there is a face on the lower portion, probably a depiction of the deities Ifa or Esu. A snake, symbol of fertility, curls up the blade; and the blade itself alludes to the nature of thunder---quick, sharp and direct; qualities a king should possess. As with most Yoruba art, the artist or sculptor/blacksmith did not intend this celt to be a work of art in the western sense. It was made for a specific purpose with every detail carefully created to produce a desired effect, and to create in the viewer a sense of awe. This accounts for its richness and depth, possessing its own power and authority apart from its function-- thus making it a true work of art.
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