Cleveland Museum of Art

Altar figure (onílé)

Date

possibly 1700s

Medium

Copper alloy

Culture

Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Yorùbá-style maker

Department

African Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This figure of a horse and rider is related to the Ògbóni society, whose responsibilities include the burial of titleholders and leaders and the judgment and punishment of criminals. A counterweight to the authority of the king, it is also responsible for the selection, installation, and removal of rulers. Probably once forming a pair with a female figure, the equestrian symbolized the king’s male ancestors. Images of horses and riders cast in copper alloy are rare among Yoruba sculptures.

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