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Òsùgbó (Ògbóni) Elders' Society Drum (agba Òsùgbó)

Òsùgbó (Ògbóni) Elders' Society Drum (agba Òsùgbó)

Unknown

The deep resonance of this drum accompanied gatherings of Òsùgbó, a judicial society of female and male elders who select and advise rulers. The central carved figure’s ceremonial bell and fly-whisk are symbols of the sea goddess, Olókun, who brings wealth and wisdom. On both sides of the drum are edan, paired brass figures linked by a chain that are the insignia of Òsùgbó members.
Artist
Unknown (Nigerian, Yorùbá People)
Title
Òsùgbó (Ògbóni) Elders' Society Drum (agba Òsùgbó)
Date
early to mid-20th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
42 3/4 H x 17 1/2 diam. in. Overall
Credit
Frank and Roa Birch, Eugenie Mayer Bolz, Harry and Margaret P. Glicksman, J. David and Laura Seefried Horsfall, William R. Mitchell, and Ruth C. Wallerstein Endowment Funds, and Charlotte Calvin Voorhis Estate Fund purchase
Accession No.
1992.37
Classification
Sculpture
Geography
Nigeria

Related

June 1992, sold by Tambaran Gallery (New York, NY) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called the Chazen Museum of Art] (Madison, WI)

  • Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Artscene." Vol. 8, No. 4, September/ October 1992. p. 1
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Bulletin 1991-1993." Elvehjem Museum of Art, 1994. p. 131

  • Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002

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