Grande figure masculine de sanctuaire

wood, brown patina, black encrusted sacrificial patina, unusual in size, slightly dam., cracks, patina chipped off, insect caused missing parts (base), metal plate.
Owo is a town of the Yoruba in Nigeria, on the top of the triangle between the holy town of the Yoruba, Ife, and Benin, the capital of the old kingdom of this name. Due to this geographical position Owo has been exposed to both centers of art over the course of centuries. The town was from time to time under the military tutelage of the Benin Kingdom between the 15th and 19th century. At times, Owu rulers had to be confirmed by the Oba of Benin and pay tribute to him. Benin-influenced institutions were adopted and a Benin-influenced court art evolved. For a comparable figure attributed to the Yoruba/Owo see AHDRC 0109023. For a comparable figure attributed to the Benin-Edo (ex Jay C. Leff Collection) see AHDRC 0088030.