Open daily. Always free.
Sàngó Shrine Figure

Sàngó Shrine Figure

Unknown

This sculpture was kept on an altar for the thundergod Shango, renowned for his volatile, unpredictable character. The idealized female’s composed countenance, meticulously plaited hair, and prayerful posture balance and assuage Shango’s impulsiveness. She presents an offering bowl. Her necklace, pendant-amulet, bracelets, and waist beads indicate her priestly status. Shango’s double-axe symbol surmounts her head, a visualization of the trance when devotee embodies deity.
Artist
Unknown (Nigerian, Yorùbá People)
Title
Sàngó Shrine Figure
Date
late 19th-early 20th century
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
12 3/4 x 3 5/8 x 4 in. Overall
Credit
Gift of Jeremiah H. Fogelson
Accession No.
2000.9.9
Classification
Sculpture
Geography
Nigeria

Related

28 March 2000, gifted by Jeremiah H. Fogelson (Springfield, OR) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
  • Bridges, Nichole. "Inside-Out: Duality and Multiplicity in a Sango Priestess Figure." Bulletin/Biennial Report 1999-2001. Elvehjem Museum of Art ( 2001): 55-59. pp. 55-59

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

The Chazen Museum of Art welcomes comments or inquiries about works in our collection. Please allow two–three weeks for a response. Chazen staff is not able to provide valuations or authentications and such inquiries cannot be answered.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.