Yoruba: Ogboni Society

Nigeria

Bronze

Female: 12 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 5 in (31.115 x 11.43 x 12.7 cm); Male: 12 1/4 x 4 1/2 x 6 in (31.115 x 11.43 x 15.24 cm)

Gift of Françoise Billion Richardson in memory of Lt. Olivier Robert Billion, U.S.N.

94.55.1,.2

Kneeling figures, both male and female wear the same type of hat with four aaja bells attached to the back rim. Both figures wear beards, and on their chests and across the shoulders is a construction of rope. The male figure holds a staff vertically with both hands and the female figure holds a large spoon horizontally across the abdomen. Figures are depicted with wide almond eyes, large flared nose and scarification on cheeks.