Iroke Ifá (Divination Tapper)
Artist
Yorùbá artist
Datemid-19th century
Associated withAfrica
MediumIvory and iron
Dimensionsheight: 11 in. (27.9 cm); diameter: 3 in. (7.6 cm)
ClassificationsBone and Ivory
Credit LineGift of Rhonda Morgan Wilkerson, PhD
Object number2024.22.1
DescriptionFrom Scott Rodolitz's 2024 appraisal: Of typical form, the tapper of ivory, carved from a long tusk tip about two-thirds down carved with a seated figure sitting on a stool with arms bent and holding cylindrical objects, the face heavily worn but the serrations around the eyes possibly indicating an origin in Owo, the knees bent and facing inwards, clearly indicated feet; Above and below the figure, remains of geometric incising. The whole now heavily worn from extensive use. Likely 19th century or earlier.
On View
On view[1] After Roger de la Burde died in 1992, his estate was passed on to his three daughters. In 1994, his estate worked with Motley’s Auctions to sell some of de la Burde’s African art pieces. According to Charles Jones, owner of Charles Jones African Art, other pieces from de la Burde’s African art collection were put in storage. In 2007, he was contacted by Corinna M. Pugh, de la Burde’s daughter, who was looking to sell the African artworks in storage. Shortly after, Jones contacted Rhonda Morgan Wilkerson to buy pieces from the de la Burde collection.Published ReferencesRoache, E. (1974). “The Art of the Ifa Oracle” in African Arts Magazine, Vol. 8, No. 1. Los Angeles, UCLA. P. 24, F. 12.Exhibition HistoryRaleigh, NC, North Carolina Museum of Art, "The People's Collection, Reimagined," October 7, 2022–present.
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