$765.00
In stock
West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba Culture, ca. 1940s to 1950s CE. A spectacular hat made from cotton cloth and covered with thousands of glass seed beads to form colorful patterns and symbols. The hat is a skull cap design with a rounded, squat profile, and stylized faces (eyes and trunk-like nose) applied to the front and verso. These represent Oduduwa, a divine and heroic king that defeated numerous enemies and united the Yoruba people. Oduduwa’s many faces symbolize the sacred authority of the wearer and protected him from evil spirits. This style of cap intended for a man of prestige such as a king or priest to wear. This beadwork must have taken hundreds of painstaking hours to complete, and the result is simply gorgeous! Size: 7″ Diameter x 5″ H (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm); 11.5″ H (29.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Condition: Losses to tassels and beads along the upper seam. A few missing beads on the surface and frayed threads, but overall good condition. Wear and discoloration to the interior cotton cloth as expected with use and age.
Provenance: private Detroit, Michigan, USA collection, inherited December 9, 2020 from Kempf Hogan, Birmingham, Michigan, USA, purchased from Sarajo Tribal Art, New York City, New York, USA, February 16, 1989
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
