Photograph © Tim Hamill
YORUBA, BEADED DIVINER'S SASHES 21-24, Nigeria,
From left to right:
YORUBA, BEADED DIVINER'S SASH 21, 43", $215
YORUBA, BEADED DIVINER'S SASH 22, 49", $300
YORUBA, BEADED DIVINER'S SASH 23, 51", $300
YORUBA, BEADED DIVINER'S SASH 24, 50", $400
Sashes 22-24 are more expensive since they incorporate designs in high relief.
Brightly inventive and meticulously constructed, these modern sashes are based upon sashes that functioned as symbols of the owner's spiritual position and were worn in public ceremonies by Ifa priestesses. Although they have no spiritual use, these pieces are produced by hand in Nigeria by the Yoruba people.
The original sashes were derived from the sacred beaded sheaths for Oko iron staffs (see Yoruba Beaded Sheaths),
Beads and cowrie shells were signs of wealth and status. In addition to the Yoruba faces with vertical scarification on the cheeks, common themes include many types of animals and geometric patterns.
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