**First Time At Auction**

West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An interesting textile shell shrine container shaped like crown known as "ile ori," which translates to "house of the head" - honoring a person's head where their personality and therefore soul resided. The thick cotton cloth structure is sewn together with a leather and cloth arching finial then covered with cowrie shells and rectangular glass mirrors. The ile ori was a house for the ibori shrine, which would have been a cone shaped sculpture filled with significant items important to the owner. The ile ori protected and added power to the ibori, the cowrie shells were believed to increase good fortune since they were used as currency. Size: 10" Diameter x 21.5" H (25.4 cm x 54.6 cm); 26" H (66 cm) on included custom stand.

In Yoruba culture a person's true character and soul was inside their head - their inner, secret thoughts- as well as their major sensory organs – therefore the head must be treated with respect. Not all heads are perfect and not all people have an easy life, and thus a person would make sacrifices for their ibori shrine. A person's good and bad luck were determined by their offerings and how they treated their shrine. Those motivated to achieve greatness would cover their ibori and ile ori with as many shells as possible and other suitable adornments.

Please note that this item is heavy/oversized. Please inquire about shipping prior to bidding.

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#176358

Missing mirror panels with cloudiness and loss to reflective surfaces on the remaining panels. Tears to cylindrical top part of the crown. Discoloration and staining throughout as shown. Tears and fraying to threads and cloth on finial. Overall good condition.