Nigeria, Ekiti Area, palace courtyard of the Ogaga
(King) of Ikere, Yoruba people, carved by Olowe of Ise
Veranda post (Opo) representing an enthroned
king and his senior wife
c. 1914
Carved wood with pigment traces
154.9 x 33.7 cm
Major Acquisitions Centennial Endowment, 1984.550
This sculpture of a seated king and his senior wife was carved as a column to support the veranda roof of the palace of a king of the Yoruba people in Africa. The king sits on a throne, wearing a crown topped by a bird which symbolizes the awesome power of senior women that benefits his rule.
Behind the king but towering over him is his queen. Her commanding figure expresses the centrality and value of women to the Yoruba people.