Yoruba Double Eshu Shrine Figures

This pair of male and female carved wooden Eshu figures are by the same carver and have been lashed together with leather strips. Long strands of cowrie shells also strung on leather strap have been suspended from the pair.

The female is shown with her hands raised to the sides of her breasts. The male has been carved blowing a flute or whistle. The flute mediates between the human world and the spiritual. Each is carved with a row of medicine-containing gourds atop their heads. Each grimaces with small teeth bared, and each has multiple lines of scarification to their faces.

Such pairings and groups of bound Eshu figures would be hung on the wall at the back of an Eshu shrine. According to one source (Beier, 1957), the figures were hung upside down.

Eshu is the most well known of Yoruba deities and is the primary interface been the human world and the spiritual world. Eshu usually is regarded as male but also is associated with paired male and female figures as in the case here. Such a combining represents the tension and creative possibilities of human sexuality and reflect Eshu’s divinity and power. Sexuality allows men and women to be aware of their differences but then also becomes the mediating force that overcomes this duality. Eshu is regarded as the custodian of this power and the creation of life that comes from this resolution.

The pair here have the most superb patina and age. The patina is deep and lustrous. The leather used to bind them together and suspend the cowrie shells has obvious age. Acquired in the UK, almost certainly, they have been in the UK since colonial times.