Description (Physical description)
Ogbomosho 1917. Representation of the smallpox god - Shopona - confiscated at Ogbomosho. This cult had been forbidden by law owing to the fact that the priests deliberately spread the infection for their own ends.
[different hand] The representation consists of a wooden carving, 2' 21/2" high, of a male figure, wearing a tall cap, mounted on a horse; 2 small grotesque figures on each side; on the head of one of them rests the butt of a spear held in the rider's right hand.
[rear of catalogue card, in further different hand] Carvings like this are often kept as decorative pieces in the reception chambers of palaces.
Event Date 1939
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
Another different hand has added: 'Ile-gbona earth hot' to the catalogue card, below 'shopona'
'A label noting "M 6" was found near this object. R.Hand 20/8/2001'
Event Date 27/9/2000
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
R. Hand: 'Strings of black and white beads around main figure's neck. Figure has prominent beard , and eyes inlaid with ?nails, and facial scarification marks. Horse has carved ?bridle and human eyes. Traces of red ?and white pigment. Piece of beard broken off and missing, chip in face cracks in base. Evidence of insect damage'.
Event Date 20/8/2001
Author: ashleigh griffin

Context (References)
Photographed as part of the Art UK Sculpture project, August - September 2019. The project aims to create a free-to-access online photographic showcase of publicly owned sculpture. The three-year project focuses on sculpture dating from the last 1,000 years, held in public collections and outdoor locations across the UK
Event Date 3/6/2020
Author: rachel hand