Agere Yoruba Maternity Statue, Nigeria

This large Yoruba maternity ward from Nigeria is remarkable. The mother sits haughtily with a beautiful head posture fixed on a very long graceful neck. She has a very noble posture. Her features are fine, very large eyes, a straight nose and a curved mouth make us discover a delicate beauty. Scarifications delicately mark his cheeks. A large hairstyle adorns her head as well as ear jewelry that falls on her shoulders. She holds her child firmly in one hand and a stick in the other. Another child also grabs onto his back. A long curtain of red glass beads covers its trunk.  Very beautiful, very old patina of wear. This exceptional piece brings together the canons of femininity combining maternity and fertility with the 2 children on either side. Agere Ifa maternity sculptures are traditional artifacts from the Yoruba culture of Nigeria. They are generally created to honor and celebrate fertility, motherhood, and the central role of women in Yoruba society. These sculptures are often used in ritual and ceremonial contexts, particularly in cults dedicated to Ifa, an important system of divination and spirituality among the Yoruba. The sculpture in question represents a seated female figure, carrying a child on her knee and another on her back. She embodies motherhood and protection. The woman is represented with distinctive characteristics: She sits on a stool, a posture often associated with dignity and respect, her face is expressive, with finely sculpted facial features reflecting serenity and wisdom. The elaborate hairstyle, typical of Yoruba representations, presents her status and beauty. She wears a necklace of red pearls, symbols of wealth, status and protection. The child she holds in her arms is also detailed, emphasizing the maternal bond and the continuity of generations. The sculpture is carved from finely carved wood, the proportions are harmonious, with particular attention to anatomical and decorative details, the patina of the wood, the result of age and ritual use, gives the sculpture visual depth and historical. The old patina adds a touch of authenticity and history to this exceptional work. "Presumed age: 1st half of the 20th centuryDimensions: height 97cm, width 26cm, depth 30cmEthnic group: Yoruba, Nigeria