Yoruba-Owo ivory ornament, Nigeria

omama, made of African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) ivory, with Coconut (Cocos nucifera) shell inlay.

Private Collection, United Kingdom
Eric D. Robertson, New York, acquired from the above
Private American Collection, acquired from the above in the 1990s

UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Los Angeles, California, Elephant: The Animal and its Ivory in African Culture, September 30, 1992 - May 16, 1993
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Africa: The Art of a Continent, 100 Works of Power and Beauty, June 7 - September 29, 1996

George Nelson Preston, African Art Masterpieces, New York, 1991, p. 63
Doran H. Ross, Elephant: The Animal and its Ivory in African Culture, Los Angeles, 1992, p. 199, cat. 9-16
Tom Phillips (ed.), Africa, The Art of a Continent: 100 Works of Power and Beauty, New York, 1996, pp. 138-139, cat. 68

Excellent condition for an object of this type and age. Minor marks, scratches, nicks, and abrasions. Some cocounut inlay missing. Three holes for attachment: one at top between horns and one on either side beneath the eyes. Some scratches around attachment holes on reverse. The back with recessed areas to prevent age cracking. Exceptionally fine dark reddish yellow ivory patina.
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.
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In his discussion of the offered lot on the occasion of the exhibition Africa, The Art of a Continent at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, Ekpo Eyo (in Phillips 1995: 138) noted: "Among the Owo-Yoruba, a red costume (orufaran) is worn by the highest ranking chiefs as a priviledge granted by the king (olowo). [...] It consists of a top shirt made of imported red flannel that is scalloped to resemble the scales of an anteater or pangolin.  Like the scales of a pangolin, the costume protects its wearer from harm by rendering him invulnerable.  Sewn onto the scalloped shirt are a series of carved ivory ornaments (omama) depicting powerful animals such as the ram, crocodile, leopard, or horse.  [...] The ram omama shown here, one of a pair (the other is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York [inv. no. "1991.17.123"]), probably came from the orufaran of the chief (ojomo) of Ijebu quarter, originally located on the outskirts of Owo town proper.  [...] If he inherited the costume from the first ojomo, Oladipe, then it can be dated to the last quarter of the eighteenth century.  The pair of omama were very likely made by the same carver."

Drewal (in Ross 1992, p. 199) continues: "Together with the elephant, the ram is the most important totem among the Yoruba.  It is a sign of the preeminent power and aggressiveness of one who tolerates no rival."