This is the rating and price for Framed 19Th C. African Yoruba Beaded Leather Priest Bag

Description : West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A beautiful and large leather and burlap bag decorated with hundreds of glass seed beads. The bag was intended for a priest or diviner known as a babalawo, to carry his tools for divination and communication with the gods and spirits. The bag is sewn from a rectangular panel of leather that is divided into four squares that features abstract, embroidered designs. The center is hand stitched with rows of beads to create stylized visages of protruding eyes, nose, and circular mouths. The burlap handle is stitched with lengthy strands of beads along the length. The beadwork must have taken many painstaking hours to complete. The faces may represent Oduduwa, a divine and heroic king that defeated numerous enemies and united the Yoruba people. Oduduwa's face symbolize the sacred authority and protection. This piece is mounted and displayed in a modern wooden fame. Size of bag: 35.5 L x 14.5 W (90.2 cm x 36.8 cm), frame: 40.25 L x 21.25 W (102.2 cm x 54 cm) Even though the Yoruba have a long history of glassmaking, the beads used to make this special clothing were imported from the British during the late 19th century. During this period, glass beads signified high status and substantial wealth. Such petite European seed beads were thought to be particularly special, due to their uniform size and wide variety of colors. Wearing clothing covered with so many precious beads indicated rank and wealth. Priests assisted kings and chiefs and were also recognized as aristocracy due to their spiritual prestige. Provenance: private Chicago, Illinois, USA collection, ex-H. Berk collection, Chicago, Illinois, USA, before 2010 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm. Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping. #159467
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