Mater and Child
Item
Accession Number
2018.6
Title
Mater and Child
Ethnic Group
Yoruba
Subject
Statue|Shrine|Altar|West Africa
Country
Nigeria
Date
20th Century
Medium
Wood|Blue Pigment
Format
H x W x D: 18.5 x 6.25 x 6.5 in (46.99 x 15.875 x 16.51 cm)
Description
In African art, a repetitive theme is a relationship between mother and child. For the Yoruba, maternity figures were placed on shrines and altars to ask their ancestors to grace them with children or to thank them for already giving them this gift. The woman is sitting down in a stable stance while nursing her child, signifying her nurturing role as a mother. Ideals of beauty are seen in her large head, muscular physiognomy, and large feet. Specific Yoruba ideals of beauty are seen in the scarification of both cheeks and her agogo (cockscomb) hairstyle, which is tinged with blue pigment.
