Ifa Divination Tapper c. 19th century

This 19th-century "Ifa Divination Tapper" is a Yoruba carving made of ivory. The figure, depicting a seated female figure with a prominent head, was used in the divination practices of the Yoruba people. The tapper was struck against a divination tray to reveal the will of the orisha, or deities. This piece of Yoruba art is a unique and powerful example of a tool used to connect with the spiritual world.