This king continues to survey his territory. His
eyes peer out from below his regal headdress.
The power and wealth of this Oba is signified by
his elaborate jewelry and ornamentation. He
wears a beaded crown that covers his head like a
net. Four sets of beaded tassels hang down from
the rim of the crown, framing his face like locks
of long hair. A thick ring of beaded necklaces
serves as a sturdy base. This head is
representative of a style of busts cast in the 16th
Century that have now been designated by
scholars as, “rolled-collars,” due to their
distinctive collar. While this bust represents a
deceased Oba, according to Benin belief he
would be even more powerful in death than in
life. This image would have been placed on a
special altar and worshipped by the Oba in semi-
annual ceremonies, invoking the spirit of the
deceased ruler that was believed to play an active
role in the lives of his lineage and the community
as a whole. Originally, an arching ivory tusk
carved with images of the Oba and his courtly
entourage would have been fitted through the
large hole in the top of his head, adding
significantly to the royal majesty of the Oba. The
rite of ancestor cult was pervasive throughout
Benin, as represented by this head. The dead
king continues to rule, now from an altar instead
of a throne. The idolization of deceased relative,
in the case of royalty, also served to establish a
continuity of rightful rule. The force and
strength of the Oba continues to penetrate the
viewer. While it is now appreciated for its
beautiful craftsmanship and coveted for its rarity,
this head of an Oba continues to command a
royal presence of power and dominance.
- (PF.6284)
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