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Depiction of a court messenger (emese)

As late as the 20th century, it was customary for messengers of the court (Emese) of Ife to shave half of their heads every five days. Because of the half-shaven head, these heads are interpreted as depictions of court messengers.

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum Show original at data provider

Cataloguing data

Cultural attribution
Yoruba
Object type
Terracotta plastic
Dimensions
Weight: 2 kg
Height: 12,5 cm
Width: 8,511 cm
Depth: cm
Material/Technique
Terracotta
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 27533

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    when
    12th-15th century
    where
    Nigeria
    Ife
    who
    Yoruba
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    Africa

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
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