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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Benin : Benin Wooden Head of an Oba
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Benin Wooden Head of an Oba - PF.5846
Origin: Benin City, Nigeria
Circa: 1750
AD
to 1897
AD
Dimensions:
21" (53.3cm) high
x 9" (22.9cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Wood
Location: United States
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| Description |
This king continues to survey his territory. His
bulging eyes peer out from below his arching
brow. The power and wealth of this Oba is
signified by his elaborate jewelry and
ornamentation. In characteristic Benin style,
coral necklaces rise up to his lips, symbolizing
that he is overloaded with riches. He wears a
beaded crown that covers his head like a net,
although only the front half has been elaborated.
A large feather, elegantly carved, rises from the
right side of his crown. Most likely, another
feather would have originally been present on
the other side. 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 worshipped on
a special altar, invoking his spirit that was
believed to play an active role in the lives of his
lineage and the community as a whole.
Originally, an ivory tusk would have been fitted
through the tubular slot in the back, framed by
the feathers and 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.5846)
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