00:00
/
00:00
Maker Once Known
Mirror Case Mirror Case
20th century 20th century

The carved couple sitting on the top of this mirror case suggests that the object was commissioned by a husband as a gift for his wife. A highly decorated domestic object such as this is a symbol of wealth and status. The male figure reaches his left arm towards the woman, who holds her breasts in a gesture of greeting, supplication, respect and devotion. Stylistically, they resemble other figurative art of the Yoruba (see M84-256, M84-276, M84-334) in the large heads and frontal poses. When the removable door is slid away to reveal the interior mirror, an implement acquired through trade with the West, the object becomes an aid in personal adornment.

Maker Once Known
Yoruba peoples Yoruba peoples
Mirror Case Mirror Case
20th century 20th century
wood, metal, mirror, pigment wood, metal, mirror, pigment
height / width / depth: 48.00 x 22.50 x 11.00 cm; 18.90 x 8.86 x 4.33 in.
Gift of Justin and Elisabeth Lang, 1984 Gift of Justin and Elisabeth Lang, 1984
M84-089

Subscribe to our “This Week at Agnes” e-newsletter to stay abreast of events, news and opportunities at the art museum.