Ogun Ax (àáké or edùn Ogun) / Artist Unknown, African, Yoruba Peoples Nigeria

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Record Details

Accession Number
2006/2.73
Title
Ogun Ax (àáké or edùn Ogun)
Artist Nationality
Nigerian
Medium and Support
wood, iron
Object Creation Date
1925-1975
Object Creation Place
Africa (continent)
Nigeria (nation)
Creation Place 1
Africa (continent)
Creation Place 2
Nigeria (nation)
Dimensions
53 cm x 6 cm x 27 cm (20 7/8 in. x 2 3/8 in. x 10 5/8 in.)
Primary Object Classification
Arms and Armor
Primary Object Type
ax
Physical Description
Carved ax handle is comprised of a kneeling male figure with rounded knob on top of his head, into which narrow end of triangular iron ax blade is embedded.
Subject Matter
Ogun is god of iron and war and is dear to those whose livelihoods rely heavily on iron such as blacksmiths, sculptors, tailors, barbers, drivers as well as scarifiers and circumcision specialists. Because Ogun is embodied in sharpened edge of iron blades, those who use it are obliged to keep him satisfied in order for their tools to operate efficaciously. To honor Ogun, people occasionally spill sacrificial dog blood, snail mucous, or other appeasing substances on their tools to satisfy the needy god’s thirst.
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Technical Details

Image Size
2400 x 3600
File Size
1 MB
Record
2006/2.73
Link to this Item
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2006-sl-2.73/2006_2.73.jpg

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Full citation
"Ogun Ax (àáké or edùn Ogun); Artist Unknown, African, Yoruba Peoples Nigeria." In the digital collection University of Michigan Museum of Art. https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/musart/x-2006-sl-2.73/2006_2.73.jpg. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed March 29, 2024.
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