Carved wood figure with various attachments: medicine bundles with feathers and other substances, cowrie strands on neck and head, monkey skull attached to front with cords, shells and seed pods and gourd bound to figure with cord, back covered with burlap; dots of blue and white pigment on figure; figure holds a club in each hand; has conical headdress, strand of red and green beads on back, iron chain with small conical bell attached at end dangling at feet.

Images(2)

Smallpox God

Maker Yoruba Artist

Date1969

Place of originKaduna, Nigeria

MediumWood, cowry shells, pigment, landsnail shell, monkey skull, seed pods, gourd, burlap, feathers, cotton, glass beads, iron

Dimensions12 x 6 x 6 in. (30.5 x 15.2 x 15.2 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Bob Boyd

Object number2010.6.2

Collections

AFRICAN

Visual DescriptionCarved wood figure with various attachments: medicine bundles with feathers and other substances, cowrie strands on neck and head, monkey skull attached to front with cords, shells and seed pods and gourd bound to figure with cord, back covered with burlap; dots of blue and white pigment on figure; figure holds a club in each hand; has conical headdress, strand of red and green beads on back, iron chain with small conical bell attached at end dangling at feet.