Nigerian Offertory Bowl with Lid

A decorative bowl carved from a single piece of wood in the form of a kneeling woman holding a lidded bowl in the shape of a rooster. The woman has large breasts and is unclothed. Four rings suggesting neck rings are carved around her neck and three rings are carved at her hips. The arms and shoulders are carved to suggest a triangular tattoo decoration. The eyes are large, bulging half-circles, the lips are full, and three vertical scarification... In Yoruban society, special bowls were used to store valuables, for presenting gifts of food to important visitors, and as part of rituals. Various realistically carved figures were used. Kneeling suggests a relationship to a higher force and is a pose of respect, whether it is a subject kneeling before his king, a young bride before her husband, or a child for a parent. Here a woman offers a fowl, a traditional Yoruban motif and an animal typica... African Folk Tales African Novel Study Communities and Geography 16 History 18 Social Systems 25-27 Fine Arts