Maternity shrine figure

myminifactory

A majestic West African Yoruba seated maternity shrine figure crafted between the late 19th and early 20th century stands tall. Exhibiting a wide range of sizes, symbolism, intimacy and styles, African maternity figures showcase the ideals of beauty, fertility, character and action, often signifying much more than their surface appearance suggests. Whether depicting the primordial mother or a legendary founding ancestor, these figures are commonly used as shrine objects, frequently sought after for petitions or prayers to ensure successful births. The prevalence of the maternity theme serves as a testament to the importance placed on women and children in each community's continuity. This stunning sculpture was showcased at Masterpiece London, a leading international fair featuring art and design from antiquity to the present day, courtesy of esteemed art dealers Finch & Co. Provenance: Formerly part of Ernest Ohly's private collection, son of William Ohly, Berkeley Galleries acquired it from M. Pilcher in February 1964 as part of their original inventory. The sculpture was later housed at Berkeley Galleries Davies Street, London, until the gallery's closure in 1977. It has since been passed down through generations. This extraordinary object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative launched by MyMiniFactory to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from around the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have intriguing items nearby and wish to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can participate.