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Tapper (Iroke Ifa)

A work made of wood, glass beads, and thread.

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  • A work made of wood, glass beads, and thread.

Date:

Mid–20th century

Artist:

Yòrùbá
Ketu region, Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

A Yoruba diviner strikes a tapper against his tray to call the deity of fate, Orunmila, to the proceedings. This wooden tapper features an unusual upside-down design: a kneeling woman carrying a basket on top of her head and a baby strapped on her back.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yoruba

Title

Tapper (Iroke 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.

1925–1975

Medium

Wood, glass beads, and thread

Dimensions

H.: 42.6 cm (16 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection

Reference Number

2000.317

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.

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