YORUBA OPON IFA CARVED DIVINATION TRAY AFRICAN TRIBAL ARTIFACT VOODOO SHAMAN

Description

YORUBA OPON IFA CARVED DIVINATION TRAY AFRICAN FIGURAL TRIBAL ARTIFACT VOODOO. Shipped with USPS.
An incredible authentic Yoruba divination tray that has seen tribal use. This is a rare object that was beautifully hand carved for use within the tribe, not for sale. Uncommon that these come up for sale. It was part of an impressive collection of tribal antiques and antiquities. It will ship FREE, ASAP! Thanks
Professionally assessed? Yes, available at valuemystuff dot com /api/valuation/pdf/5ebadaa7dc72230008198aa0
Auction estimate: 0-400 USD
Item Description from Appraisal: The back of the wooden tray has an old label which reads: "Yoruba Devinatoir Tray". The perimeter of the tray has a wide carved border in geometric shapes. The center of the top border has a human face; the bottom center of the border has a raised oblong design with ends of geometric shapes. The object is an Yoruba Divination Tray. The original condition of the center of the tray was a white color; the brown splotches are discoloration from use as well as the horizontal crack in the center of the tray. Some of the white color has flaked and is entirely missing the lower left corner coloring. The condition of the tray does affect the value. The tray is referred to as Opon Ifa and can be used by a male or female. The value given is on the conservative side.
Divination is practiced to explain misfortunes and help to prevent them. In western Africa, the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin use a decorated tray for divination. The round, rectangular or half-moon shaped wood is carved with geometric and animal motifs and one or more images of Eshu, the Yoruba trickster deity, who is thought to deliver messages to and from the spirit world. The divining process begins by covering the board with white chalk. The diviner then throws palm nuts onto the board and interprets the marks made on the surface.
Item Size: Height 9.5 inch; Length 10.25 inch; Depth 0.5 inch
Country or Region: Nigeria
Item Age: circa 1950s-1970s or earlier.
Provenance: Ex Marcel Gibrat Collection purchased between 1965 and 1991