NEWSLETTER


Bruce Frank Primitive Art
New York City, NY
+1 917 733 9589

Diviner’s Tapper

Yoruba, Nigeria
Early 20th Century

Provenance: Vianna Finch, acquired in the 1970’s from the Eric Robertson Gallery, New York City, then by descent to family.

Wooden tappers were an essential tool in Yoruba divination. Used in ceremonies it was struck against a diviner’s tray to call forth spirits to the proceedings. This example is beautifully sculpted, in the form of a stylized torso. It wears a tall cylindrically shaped hat and its facial features are serious and powerful. Wearing a look of concentration, its wide set eyes, strong nose, and elongated arms make for a very compelling sculpture. There is ancient wear and loss to one arm, and also at the bottom on the actual tapper section. The patina is dark and deep, attesting to its age and abundance of use.

Diviner’s Tapper

Yoruba, Nigeria
Early 20th Century

Provenance: Vianna Finch, acquired in the 1970’s from the Eric Robertson Gallery, New York City, then by descent to family.

Wooden tappers were an essential tool in Yoruba divination. Used in ceremonies it was struck against a diviner’s tray to call forth spirits to the proceedings. This example is beautifully sculpted, in the form of a stylized torso. It wears a tall cylindrically shaped hat and its facial features are serious and powerful. Wearing a look of concentration, its wide set eyes, strong nose, and elongated arms make for a very compelling sculpture. There is ancient wear and loss to one arm, and also at the bottom on the actual tapper section. The patina is dark and deep, attesting to its age and abundance of use.

Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Privacy Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from - Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from - Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from - Google