Antique Yoruba Diviner's Glass Beaded Ceremony Apo Ileke Ifa Bag Nigeria, Africa

Description

This is a rare, antique, Yoruba made beaded fabric shoulder bag with a braided leather carrying strap which was typically used by a diviner or diviner's assistant to carry divination tools and other ceremonial items.
The beading on the front depicts the word Alara and also the face of an ancestral figure with some three dimensional facial features and two flowers on each side of the figure.
Great condition but the bag is a little misshapen to the back panel on one corner and has some patina to the beaded panel mostly to the face under the eyes and the bag is worn around the outer edges. The bottom edge of the front flap and the bottom edge of the back have a braided leather clasp to close the bag. Also, the bag's front red fabric under the flap and the back red fabric of this piece are both a little worn with very small holes in the fabric, dirt stains and a white patina all which attests to the age of this piece. The braided leather shoulder strap needs to be encouraged to hang straight by being hung for a while. The inside of the bag is in surprising good condition as it is made of a heavier fabric.
T
his beaded Yoruba tribal specimen comes from Nigeria, Africa.The beaded fabric bag measure 7.55 inches long by 9 inches wide and
the braided leather shoulder strap measures 28 inches long. I combine shipping on multiple buys so be sure to check out my ebay store. For buyers of multiple items please email me when you are done shopping for your custom made invoice with combined shipping & insurance fees.