Shrine Figure of a Mother and Child at The Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich

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This figure depicts a mother cradling her child on her back while carrying a pot and resting on a stool. She wears an elaborate hairstyle with two feathers intricately carved on either side. Scarification marks adorn her face, and the eyes are accentuated by circular metal plates driven in by nails, though one plate is missing from the left eye. A string of blue beads encircles her neck, where additional scarification marks or a representation of a necklace can be seen. The surface of this figure shows significant encrustation, except for the face, which appears remarkably smooth. There is evidence of erosion on the circular base at both the front and rear. This outstanding shrine figure originates from the immediate vicinity of Oshogbo, renowned for being one of the finest Yoruba carving centers. A comparable figure, possibly crafted by the same hand, is illustrated in Beier's work. Another similar piece can be seen in the distance during the annual Festival of Images at Ilobu (Beier, 1957). Many skilled carvers flourished in Oshogbo, Ilobu, and Erin, with the latter being particularly notable as the seat of the principal carvers known by name, Maku and his son Toibo. Neither of these individuals seems to have been responsible for creating this particular piece. The exceptional condition of this figure belies its likely age, suggesting that it may have originated in Ilobu rather than Oshogbo. According to Beier, these images were devotedly cared for by being cleaned and washed once every four-day Yoruba week. They were also painted with indigo or camwood, both of which served as insect deterrents. The concept of Orisha is deeply rooted in the religious beliefs of the Yoruba people. It can be equated to a god, deity, or saint. While they believe in a Great God, he is too abstract for direct worship, and thus no shrines or sacrifices are dedicated to him. Typically, an Orisha represents an ancestor, hero, or former king who embodies some aspect of divine power or is associated with a natural force such as thunder, storm, or a river (Fagg and Pemberton: 1982). Orishas are rarely depicted in person; instead, carvings often feature priests or devotees. The carving itself is never worshipped; it serves as a symbol of the spiritual being, having no direct role in ceremonies. The inclusion of a coiled mudfish on the stool's design likely indicates that it is an acceptable offering to the Orisha (although this does not appear to be correlated with royalty, unlike in Benin).