Art Institute of Chicago

Headdress (Jagún Jagún)

YòrùbáLinkedCulture matchlcp-ab084a042215

Date: Mid– late 19th century
Medium: Wood, iron, nails, fiber, and sacrificial materials
Culture: Nigeria
Department: Arts of Africa
Institution: Art Institute of Chicago
Object ID: 155956

From the Art Institute of Chicago record

This imposing sculptural headdress would have been worn in masquerades honoring Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron, warfare, and technology. It was also part of a shrine where offerings of yams were applied to its surface. Ogun is depicted as a warrior on horseback who carries a shield with four human heads, possibly slain enemies. The smaller figure playing a flute represents Eshu, the divine messenger and god of human destiny.

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Provenance & credit

As published by the source institution. Coverage varies — not every institution's open-data feed includes ownership history.

Credit line: The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Richard Faletti, the Faletti Family Collection
Provenance: Harry A. Franklin Family Collection, by 1969 [Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, 1969, cat. no. 16]; sold, Sotheby’s, New York, N.Y., April 21, 1990 “The Harry A. Franklin Family Collection of African Art,” sale 6001, lot 356, to Richard and Barbara Faletti, Chicago, Ill.; given to the Art Institute, 2000.