YORUBA ANTIQUE GLASS-BEADED NIGERIAN STORAGE BASKET W/FACES, FAUNA COWRIE SHELLS

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YORUBA ANTIQUE GLASS-BEADED NIGERIAN STORAGE BASKET W/FACES, FAUNA COWRIE SHELLS:
$425.00

ANTIQUE \'YORUBA\'(NIGERIA)GLASS-BEADED NIGERIAN STORAGE BASKET W/LID, MULTIPLE HUMAN FACES & RAISED, STUFFEDFIGURESOF FAUNA, W/LOOPED BUTTERFLY BEADEDWIRE HANDLE& COWRIE SHELLTRIMMED EDGING(From the \'Yoruba\' People of Nigeria)Early - Mid 20th Century (Circa 1930-1955)This simply outstanding and in very well-preserved condition original, authentic beaded storage basket, with Cowrie shells sewn into the rim of the basket, is a wonderful example of this indigenous artifact, produced by the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West/Central Africa. It is complete and has not been altered, embellished or problems hidden. It is being offered in \'as-found,\' untouched, original condition. The multiple depicted fauna and human faces realized in color, hand-sewn tiny beads, is simply breathtaking and truly extraordinary. The amount of man-hours needed to produce the basket is seemingly immeasurable and an indication that these were highly treasured, coveted personal items, for they contained food sustenance to keep cool, away from the heat of the sun, therefore giving and sustaining life. It is likely they kept bread or bisquits, concealed away from flies and other insects. The fine linen fabric used on the inside of the basket and as an underlayment, is dyed with tea and berry vegetable dyes. The lid pull is made of beaded wire, that has been glued to the lid, indicating the thread ties broke at some point, used to affix the butterfly pull to the lid. This alteration was done by someone other than ourselves and no attempt has been made to remove it or to conceal it. It is the only issue with the piece and possibly the only intervention in the basket\'s life, that wasn\'t original. The glue is clear and is almost unnoticeable. The fauna depicted are of striped zebras and possibly hyenas. The glass micro-beaded threaded work is simply extraordinary and clearly the work of an experienced and very talented artisan, well-schooled in this artistic and cultural tradition of the Yoruba people, where necessary, everyday objects used all the time, were nevertheless given great artistic consideration and raised to the level of high art, as is this extremely beautiful and stunning antique storage basket from the Yoruba people of Nigeria, west-central Africa. They will come different than this example but no better. Amazing.
DIMENSIONS:14½\" Diameter x 5¾\" Deep x 14\" full Height ( with lid)
CONDITION:Very Good/Excellent overall vintage condition.
Beads were signs of wealth and status. Many Yoruba sacred and secular objects were embellished with elaborate images and symbolic designs created by small glass beads.(*Please scroll down to view enlarged photos below. Thank you.)