Description

Maternity figures are a recurring theme in Yoruba sculpture. According to Yoruba belief, children are a blessing from the gods and the bond that connects a mother and her children is considered extremely powerful and valuable. Kneeling female figures holding and carrying children are found as votive offerings on deity shrines – an offering to encourage the god to bestow fertility. This particular figure was probably found on the shrine of Oduduwa, the founder of the Yoruba royal dynasty.