Skip to Content
Closed now, next open tomorrow. Closed now, next open tomorrow.

Necklace (Odigba Ifa)

A work made of glass beads, cloth, and leather.

Image actions

  • A work made of glass beads, cloth, and leather.

Date:

Late 19th/early 20th century

Artist:

Yoruba
Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Wearing a beaded necklace like this one likens a Yoruba diviner (babalawo) to a king; accordingly, a diviner’s necklace and a king’s crown both require ritual actions. The beaded cylinders of the chain are made of wood from a sacred tree that is said to ensure longevity and prosperity. The flat pendants protecting the diviner’s neck and chest are filled with medicines and other ingredients with similar protective powers.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yoruba

Title

Necklace (Odigba Ifa)

Place

Nigeria (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1875–1925

Medium

Glass beads, cloth, and leather

Credit Line

Gift of Deborah Stokes and Jeffrey Hammer

Reference Number

1994.708

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share