Figure representing Èsù

Unknown (Nigerian)

Item type:

sculpture

Date of creation:

late 19th-early 20th c.

Height:

43.2 cm  (17 in.)

Width:

18.4 cm  (7 1/4 in.)

Depth:

14.0 cm  (5 1/2 in.)

Technique / Medium:

wood, hide, and cowrie shells

Place of creation:

Nigeria

Description

Commentary from the museum website:
In Yoruba religion, Èsù, or Elégba, is the divine messenger, gatekeeper, and master of crossroads, and therefore is considered a vital link between the deities and humans. A popular motif related to Èsù is that of a man playing the flute, an instrument used by hunters to communicate in the bush, thus referring to Èsù’s role as a mediator. Èsù bestows those who follow his lead with wealth while he steals from those who do not acknowledge his authority. Here this is referred to with the strings of cowries shells, a former currency and a sign of wealth and power.

Iconclass

48C7525
one person playing wind instrument

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

End-blown flute [3940]

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

Bibliographic references

Barnes, Richard. “Objects of Desire”, Yale Alumni Magazine (September/October 2004) 33, ill.



“Acquisitions, July 1, 2005–June 30, 2006”, Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2006) 222.


Lamp, Frederick John, Amanda Maples, and Laura M. Smalligan. Accumulating histories: African art from the Charles B. Benenson Collection at the Yale University Art Gallery (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 2012) 171, ill.

Notes

Culture: Yorùbá

RIdIM record id

6200