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ID #SA1193437
FOR SALE
£450
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West African Yoruba Ogboni Edan Bronze Janus Figure, 19th Century
For sale by Hand of Glory
for sale €527     $572
£450
Hand of Glory

Hand of Glory

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2012
Browse dealers 169 items
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Id #SA1193437
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West African Yoruba Ogboni Edan Bronze Janus Figure, 19th Century

19th century
For Sale by Hand of Glory
Description

A West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure, with old iron and wire fittings, late 19th / early 20th Century with good patination, mounted on a wooden sand.

These figures are kown as 'Edan' figures and represent 'Onile', the owner of the earth in both male and female form. It's more characteristic to see two figures of male and female form which were suspended from a chain, whereas this figure represents a male and female on each side with a susepension loop at the top. These are fascination objects from Yoruba culture and are an important ritual objects. It's function is to harmonise the forces and spirits of nature.

Well patinated colouration on the female side of the figure but less patinated on the male side where it obviously laid flat against the body, which indicates its ritualistic use.

Physical Dimensions
Height
27cm (10.63")
Width
6cm (2.36")
Depth
6cm (2.36")
Declaration

Hand of Glory has dated this Yoruba Ogboni Bronze Figure to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1193437
Dealers Internal Reference
SKU00001018
Description
A West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure, with old iron and wire fittings, late 19th / early 20th Century with good patination, mounted on a wooden sand.
“
These figures are kown as 'Edan' figures and represent 'Onile', the owner of the earth in both male and female form.
Hand of Glory

It's more characteristic to see two figures of male and female form which were suspended from a chain, whereas this figure represents a male and female on each side with a susepension loop at the top. These are fascination objects from Yoruba culture and are an important ritual objects. It's function is to harmonise the forces and spirits of nature.

Well patinated colouration on the female side of the figure but less patinated on the male side where it obviously laid flat against the body, which indicates its ritualistic use.

Height
27cm (10.63")
Width
6cm (2.36")
Depth
6cm (2.36")
Date of Manufacture

Hand of Glory has dated this Yoruba Ogboni Bronze Figure to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1193437
Dealers Internal Ref
SKU00001018
Hand of Glory
Hand of Glory
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2012

Decorative antiques & interiors

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Hand of Glory Profile Page

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A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base.
1 / 5
Archive I A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base.

West African Yoruba Ogboni Edan Bronze Janus Figure, 19th Century

Archive II A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base. View II
Archive III A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Hand of Glory

Hand of Glory
Telephone 07867 305451 or 01249 447478
Location
Hand of Glory Antiques
34 Market Place
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3HP
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/handofglory
Verified Since Jul 2012
Items For Sale 169
Items Sold 2,448
Hand of Glory
Hand of Glory
Verified Since Jul 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Hand of Glory Antiques, 34 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3HP, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/handofglory
Verified
Jul 2012
For Sale
169
Sold
2,448
A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base.
West African Yoruba Ogboni Edan bronze Janus figure, 19th Century
Ref: SA1193437
A 19th-century West African Yoruba Ogboni bronze Janus figure featuring a verdigris patina, detailed facial scarification, and a circular halo headpiece, displayed on a square wooden base.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures
  • Period19th century
  • StyleYoruba Tribal Art
  • MaterialBronze, Brass, Wood
  • ColourVerdigris Green
  • MotifsJanus double-faced head, Looped headdress frame, Facial scarification markings, Lost-wax casting details
  • SizeH 27 cm (11 in) x W 6 cm (2 in) x D 6 cm (2 in)

This nineteenth-century West African Yoruba Ogboni Edan bronze Janus figure displays a double-faced head, a looped headdress frame, facial scarification markings, and lost-wax casting details. Cast in bronze, brass, and wood, the piece exhibits verdigris green colouration alongside well-patinated areas on one side and less patinated sections on the other, mounted on a square wooden base with old iron and wire fittings. The sculpture stands 27 cm high, 6 cm wide, and 6 cm deep. Positioned on a bookshelf within a gentleman's library setting, this ritual object serves as a decorative focal point in a home interior. The design incorporates a suspension loop at the top and represents male and female forms on opposing sides to harmonise the forces and spirits of nature.

FAQs

Edan figures are ceremonial metal sculptures created for members of the Ogboni (or Oshugbo) society, an influential council of elders among the Yoruba people of West Africa. These figures symbolise judicial authority, spiritual balance, and communal stability within traditional Yoruba culture.

Yoruba craftsmen traditionally created metal figures using the lost-wax casting technique (cire perdue) with copper alloys such as bronze or brass. Iron cores or rods were often included within the structure for stability and ritual significance.

Authentic pieces are identified by evidence of period lost-wax casting techniques, core material composition, traditional facial scarification motifs, and genuine oxidation or verdigris surface patina resulting from age and environmental exposure.

A cast bronze figure functions as an accent piece when displayed on a custom plinth within a library shelf, console table, or lit alcove, adding historical interest and texture to contemporary or eclectic spaces.

Preserve aged metal figures by keeping them in a stable climate away from high humidity. Dust lightly with a soft microfibre cloth or natural bristle brush, avoiding chemical solvents, polishes, or abrasive cleaners that alter natural oxidation.
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