Hand-carved Vintage African Ceremonial Bowl

Stunning Vintage African Tribal Ceremonial Divination Bowl.Beautiful figurative detailed Hardwood carving Hand-carved from a single block of African Ebony. This was used as a sacred ritual bowl by the Yoruba people of West Africa.During a complex ritual known as Ifa divination, a high priest uses 16 sacred palm nuts.This bowl's sole structural purpose was to hold those sacred nuts on the divination altar when they are not actively being cast.The carved figures supporting the bowl are called caryatids. In Yoruba culture, these kneeling or seated figures represent devout worshippers, spiritual guardians, or female deities. Their posture symbolizes respect, balance, and the human support necessary to carry the weight of divine wisdom and cosmic order. It functions beautifully today as a unique decorative centerpiece or key bowl, its design is rooted entirely in these traditional West African spiritual ceremonies. Measures 20cm high.