Female Figure with Rooster (Olumeye)
Yoruba
1875–1925
- Medium
- Wood, pigment, glass beads, and thread
- Dimensions
- 43.2 × 31.2 × 24.2 cm (17 × 12 1/4 × 9 1/2 in.)
- Genre
- sculpture
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
threadhospitalityyorubapainting (coating)beading (process)vesselbirdfemale figurescontainersculpturewood (plant material)avianafrican Artarts of AfricaCoastal West Africacarvingpigmentglass beadscontainers
About
The rooster-shaped container proffered by this kneeling female figure was made to hold kola nuts, which are shared with guests as a gesture of hospitality. The sculpture’s surface is rubbed with washing blue, a laundry aid used to prevent white clothes from yellowing. The color blue carries special significance for the Yoruba. Expressing coolness, it is associated with water and water deities as well as admired qualities such as purity, discretion, and composure.
