A female Yoruba bowl-keeper, Nigeria, kneeling on a wooden base, she is holding the bowl with both hands, wearing a large necklace and a loincloth, her thick cylindric neck is carrying her oval shaped head, with large eyes typical of Yoruba style, her hair is pulled up in a conical shape. The bowl, carved to resemble a hen with geometric patterns on her body, is painted with kaolin white and with washing blue, the necklace, the armlets and the loincloth of the female figure are painted with washing blue and kaolin white, the hair with blue; signs of use and age. Certificate of providence.

These bowl-bearing figures are called "Olumeye figures". The entire group of figures of these "bowl-bearers" was carved from a single piece of wood. The high hairstyle consisting of stylised plaits, the large bowl in the shape of a chicken and in general the upper body of the tall woman is decorated with fine incised lines and bands of relief scars. Parts of these decorative tattoos are accentuated with "bluing" (or "Reckitt's Blue", an early detergent) blue, as can be observed on the woman's hairstyle and the lid of the bowl; dark patina with different pigment colourations, including kaolin, as well as some age-related cracks and small missing pieces.

Among the Yoruba, these figural compositions were placed in the shrines of the important god Shango (the thunder god) or his wife, the goddess Oya. They are considered symbols of the so-called worshippers or priestesses who make offerings to these gods. Visitors to the shrines can place offerings in the bowls.
At the same time, these bowls are also used daily in the homes of wealthy families to offer kola nuts and other delicacies to guests.

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Height: 29 cm
Weight: 1,4 kg