A superb and Important Yoruba Doll by Olówè of Ise (ca. 1875-1938), Nigeria

Christie's, London, October 24, 1978, lot 57 (ill.)
Acquired by the present owner at the above auction

University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sculpture of Africa: Selections from a Private Collection, November 2 - December 23, 1984 (additional venue: Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, January 19 - March 3, 1985)
National Museum of African Art - Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., Olowe of Ise: A Yoruba Sculptor to Kings, March 15 - September 7, 1998

University of Michigan Museum of Art (ed.), Sculpture of Africa: Selections from a Private Collection, Ann Arbor, 1984, pl. 15
William Fagg, "One Hundred Notes on Nigerian Art from Christie's Catalogues 1974-1990", Quaderni Poro, 7, 1991, p. 139, pl. 77
Roslyn A. Walker, Olowe of Ise: A Yoruba Sculptor to Kings, Washington D.C., 1998, pp. 118-119, cat. 37 (three views)

Good condition overall; minor age cracks running through body caused by four iron nails (presumably inserted for ritual purposes), one of which is missing; minor abrasions to surface of body; both sides of the head worn from handling and ritual use; exceptionally fine lustrous honey brown patina with traces of dark pigment in face.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

As Dagan (1990: 83) states omolangidi dolls "are usually made of wood and have cylindrical or rectangular bodies and heads." Besides the offered lot, the only other omolangidi doll by Olowe of Ise is a promised gift to the UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History (promised gift of Jerome L. Joss, FMCH X88.1024, published in Walker 1998: 116-117, cat. 36).

For two omolangidi dolls by other carvers see one in the collection of the Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren (illustrated in Dagan 1990: 84, fig. 19.2) and another formerly in the Brill Collection (Sotheby's, New York, The William W. Brill Collection of African Art, November 17, 2006, lot 53).