Barakat Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • Menu

Yoruba

  • All
  • Masterpieces of African Art
  • African Masks
  • Akan, Asante, Fanti
  • Bambara
  • Baule
  • Benin
  • Bura
  • Chokwe
  • Dan
  • Dogon
  • Fang
  • Hemba, Luba, Shankadi
  • Igbo, Urhobo
  • Ife
  • Mangbetu
  • Nok, Katsina, Sokoto
  • Oceanic
  • Senufo, Kongo
  • Songye
  • Yoruba
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Yoruba Lead Onile Sculpture of a Man, 17th Century CE - 19th Century CE

Yoruba Lead Onile Sculpture of a Man, 17th Century CE - 19th Century CE

Lead
5.1 x 12.1 cm
2 x 4 3/4 in
PF.4749
Enquire
%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EYoruba%20Lead%20Onile%20Sculpture%20of%20a%20Man%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E17th%20Century%20CE%20%20-%20%2019th%20Century%20CE%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ELead%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E5.1%20x%2012.1%20cm%3Cbr/%3E%0A2%20x%204%203/4%20in%3C/div%3E
View on a Wall
The male and female figures known collectively as an edan represents a crucial moral and social symbol in Yoruba culture, especially among members of the Osugbo society. Each Osugbo lodge...
Read more
The male and female figures known collectively as an edan represents a crucial moral and social symbol in Yoruba culture, especially among members of the Osugbo society. Each Osugbo lodge owns an edan as a visual representation of the union of opposites, of male and female energy forces. Though their sexual organs are clearly visible, the pair is considered a single whole, the one implying the existence of the other, inseparable in spirit and in life.
This handsome figure shows the male holding tightly onto a cylindrical object, just as does his female counterpart. The object is somewhat phallic in shape and indicates a fertility connection. His breast are prominent, yet flattened in comparison to the full breasts of the female. His peaked cap may have originated from actual ones worn by early members of the Osugbo, or be an archetypal feature. This same principle of artistic elements coming from ancient models may explain the distinctive facial features of bulging eyes, oval face and elongated cheeks. Such details were passed on from one artist to another for generations. The edan stands for many things, but principally the union of man and woman, joined together in loving harmony for eternity.
Close full details
Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Previous
|
Next
14 
of  51

London

48 Albemarle Street,

London, W1S 4JW

info@barakatgallery.eu 

 

       


 

CONTACT | TEAM | PRESS 

 

Seoul
58-4, Samcheong-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82 02 730 1949
barakat@barakat.kr
             

 

Los Angeles

941 N La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90069
+1 310 859 8408

contact@barakatgallery.com

  


 

 

Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Send an email
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Barakat Gallery
Site by Artlogic


Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences
Close

Join our mailing list

Sign Up

* denotes required fields