Yoruba Peoples
Kingdom of Owo, Nigeria

One of the major cultural centers of the Yoruba peoples was the kingdom of Owo, whose traditions can be traced back to the 15th century or earlier. On the distinctive wide skirt of this masterfully carved female figure, the Owo talent for carving interlace has been given free reign. However, the three scarification marks over each eye and those on the torso are characteristic of the nearby Yoruba center of Benin. This combination has led scholars to suggest that the kings of Benin commissioned works such as this from renowned Owo ivory carvers. Ivory has always been revered as a prestige commodity, reserved for kings and important officials. Figures like this belonging to important priests have been found in Benin City.

Ivory stained with camwood powder, 1500-1700
Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey, 1976.40