Lidded bowl
Nigeria, Yoruba people, attributed to Arowogun of Osi-Ilorin, (1880–1954)
c. 1920–1940
Wood with patination
20 3/4 x 17 9/16 in. (52.705 x 44.6 cm)
Gift of Carolyn C. and Dan C. Williams, 1984.57.a–b

This lidded bowl is by Arowogun (commonly known as Areogun), one of the great Yoruba sculptors of the 20th century. He carved not only massive bowls like this one but also other shrine objects and major architectural elements such as veranda posts and palace doors. Arowogun depicts people and scenes from Yoruba mythology and daily life, including modern-day references. A warrior on horseback and soldiers with guns, priests and devotees, flute players and drummers, a captive, and a European riding a motorcycle all appear on this bowl.

Elaborately carved and decorated bowls held the equipment of a priest of a cult or were used to store valuable personal objects. This bowl was possibly carved to hold equipment used for Ifa divination, although it lacks the three compartments around a central circular element common to such bowls. It was probably intended for general use in a shrine context. This appears to be confirmed by the presence of figures related to at least two different deities: on the lid is a priest of Osanyin, a medicine deity, shown holding a staff surmounted by a bird, while Shango, the thunder deity, holding a staff, is carved on the bowl.