Accession Number
1997/1.359

Title
Figure

Artist(s)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
wood

Dimensions
20 15/16 in x 7 11/16 in x 9 9/16 in (53.2 cm x 19.5 cm x 24.3 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
In Owo Yoruba thought, the ram can be seen as a symbol for ancestors with its alertness, strength, and fighting ability. Osanmasinmi, or ram's head figures, placed at the altars of high-ranking Owo leaders allowed for communication with their ancestors. This figure features a ram's head, but it also includes a bird perched at the top. Most osanmasinmi consist of only a ram's head or a human head with ram's horns. Similar figures have been noted in Ishan, and both are thought to have a common source in the kingdom of Benin, what is today Edo State, Nigeria. 

References Cited:
Drewal, Henry John, John Pemberton III and Rowland Abiodun. 1989. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. New York: The Center for African Art. 

Physical Description
Wooden composite sculpture with the lower portion representing a ram's head and the upper half representing a bird, with its beak facing downwards. 

Primary Object Classification
Sculpture

Primary Object Type
figure

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Animals
Objects We Use
ancestors
rams
rams (animals)
shrines (structures)