The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of May 7, 2024
Altar figure (onílé)
possibly 1700s
with base: 34.3 x 10.8 x 25.4 cm (13 1/2 x 4 1/4 x 10 in.); without base: 31.3 x 10.8 x 25.4 cm (12 5/16 x 4 1/4 x 10 in.)
Alma Kroeger Fund 2007.160
Location: 108C Akan & Yoruba
Description
This figure of a horse and rider is related to the Ògbóni society, whose responsibilities include the burial of titleholders and leaders and the judgment and punishment of criminals. A counterweight to the authority of the king, it is also responsible for the selection, installation, and removal of rulers. Probably once forming a pair with a female figure, the equestrian symbolized the king’s male ancestors.- ?–2007(Lucien van de Velde, Antwerp, Belgium, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)2007–The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
- {{cite web|title=Altar figure (onílé)|url=false|author=|year=possibly 1700s|access-date=07 May 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2007.160