Yoruba Bowl 

This Yoruba bowl was created by Olowe of Ise, a renowned Nigerian artist, in the early 20th century. Hewn from a single piece of wood, it’s a testament to Olowe's mastery of carving. Look at the bowl's form, every line and curve meticulously shaped. The figures encircling the bowl are not mere decoration; they carry social and cultural weight. Olowe's genius lies in how he balances the bowl’s functionality with the elaborate, symbolic carvings. The figures, deeply rooted in Yoruba cosmology, communicate power and status. The process involved careful selection of the wood, followed by days, perhaps weeks, of labor. Bowls like this, commissioned by Yoruba leaders, weren't just objects but embodiments of power, testament to the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Yoruba people. It challenges the idea that fine art must be divorced from functional craft.