Veranda Post: Opo Ile
c. 1910-1914
Yoruba peoples, palace of the Ogoga, city of Ikerre, Ekiti region, Nigeria
Carver: Olowe of Ise (c. 1875-1938)
Wood, polychrome
Museum purchase: Ella West Freeman Matching Fund, 70.20 (cat. 33)

This veranda post by Olowe of Ise demonstrates the artist's extraordinary carving skill and virtuosity. Olowe's veranda posts are distinguished by their polychrome surfaces and by elongated figures that project beyond their cylindrical form as posts. This example was originally installed in an inner reception courtyard of the king's palace in the city of Ikerre.

In situ photographs of the veranda post indicate the importance of Olowe's sculptures to successive Ikerre kings. The earliest extant image showing this mounted-warrior post was made in 1937. Photographs of the same setting were taken in 1958 and 1963. Successive kings enlarged the palace with rooms and courtyards that utilized European building materials and techniques. The photographs testify to the importance of Olowe's old-fashioned sculptures: instead of abandoning the posts, each new king displayed them in the modernized palace, where they symbolized the power of Yoruba royalty.