Coyotes Paw

Dating from the early 1900's, this beaded fragment of a Yoruba priest's costume is a fine example of the elaborate beadwork important in many rituals. It portrays the head of Eshu (the god of uncertainty, among other things), and human figures. Older Yoruba beadwork is very scarce. As beads were once very valuable and associated with magic and mystery (who knew how the strange white men got them?), they were often incorporated into ritual objects.

height - 17", length - 25"