Material: Wood
Origin: Yoruba, Nigeria
Date: 1930s
Measurements: Largest figure 9 1/4"
Provenance: Private collection, Portland OR
The Thomas Ona Odulate Judicial Grouping is a rare and captivating ensemble of Yoruba carvings from 1930s Nigeria, with the largest figure measuring 9¼ inches in height. Created by one of the most celebrated and distinctive African carvers of the 20th century, this grouping depicting judicial figures represents a remarkable intersection of traditional Yoruba craftsmanship and the complex social realities of the colonial era. Works by Thomas Ona Odulate are held in major museum collections internationally, and fine examples such as this are increasingly rare on the open market.
Thomas Ona Odulate (c. 1900–1952) worked primarily in Ijebu-Ode and Lagos, developing a highly personal and immediately recognizable style characterized by satirical observation, elegant stylization, and beautifully polished surfaces. His figures — depicting British colonial officials, missionaries, soldiers, and scenes of Nigerian daily life — combined deep-rooted traditional Yoruba carving techniques with a sharp, knowing eye for the colonial world surrounding him. These works were eagerly sought after by European collectors of the period, drawn to their wit, artistry, and singular vision. A judicial grouping such as this would have offered Odulate rich material, capturing the formal pageantry and inherent irony of colonial legal authority with characteristic precision and quiet humor. Originating from a private collection in Portland, Oregon, this exceptional grouping stands as a testament to one of Africa's most original and compelling artistic voices.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
Material: Wood
Origin: Yoruba, Nigeria
Date: 1930s
Measurements: Largest figure 9 1/4"
Provenance: Private collection, Portland OR
The Thomas Ona Odulate Judicial Grouping is a rare and captivating ensemble of Yoruba carvings from 1930s Nigeria, with the largest figure measuring 9¼ inches in height. Created by one of the most celebrated and distinctive African carvers of the 20th century, this grouping depicting judicial figures represents a remarkable intersection of traditional Yoruba craftsmanship and the complex social realities of the colonial era. Works by Thomas Ona Odulate are held in major museum collections internationally, and fine examples such as this are increasingly rare on the open market.
Thomas Ona Odulate (c. 1900–1952) worked primarily in Ijebu-Ode and Lagos, developing a highly personal and immediately recognizable style characterized by satirical observation, elegant stylization, and beautifully polished surfaces. His figures — depicting British colonial officials, missionaries, soldiers, and scenes of Nigerian daily life — combined deep-rooted traditional Yoruba carving techniques with a sharp, knowing eye for the colonial world surrounding him. These works were eagerly sought after by European collectors of the period, drawn to their wit, artistry, and singular vision. A judicial grouping such as this would have offered Odulate rich material, capturing the formal pageantry and inherent irony of colonial legal authority with characteristic precision and quiet humor. Originating from a private collection in Portland, Oregon, this exceptional grouping stands as a testament to one of Africa's most original and compelling artistic voices.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand
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