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Door (Ilekun)

Arts of Africa

The Yoruba often install doors carved in low relief in places frequented by people of special distinction. This door probably belonged to a babaláwo, or diviner, who is represented on horseback in the second register. The row of kneeling female figures in the top register are most likely devotees of Eshu-Elegba, the orisha (god) associated with divination.
CULTURE Yorùbá
MEDIUM Iroko wood
DATES late 19th century
DIMENSIONS 48 x 31 3/16 x 1 1/4 in. (121.9 x 79.2 x 3.2 cm)  (show scale)
COLLECTIONS Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER 22.1526
CREDIT LINE Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Carved wood door, divided into four horizontal bands, each with scene in bas relief. Band one- 7 mothers with children on back. Band 2- warlord flanked by two attendants, one of whom is a staffbearer. Band 3- two warriors holding net for hunting. Band 4- warriors with rifles sheathed. CONDITION: Good, top left corner lower than right.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Master of Ikare. Door (Ilekun), late 19th century. Iroko wood, 48 x 31 3/16 x 1 1/4 in. (121.9 x 79.2 x 3.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1922, Robert B. Woodward Memorial Fund, 22.1526. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 22.1526_edited_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 22.1526_edited_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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