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African & Tribal Art :
Benin : Benin Ivory Totem
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Benin Ivory Totem - PF.5543
Origin: Benin City, Nigeria
Circa: 1600
AD
to 1897
AD
Dimensions:
18.25" (46.4cm) high
x 2.5" (6.4cm) wide
Collection: African
Medium: Ivory
Location: United States
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| Description |
The art of Benin is the product of an urban royal
court, and is meant to symbolize and to extol the
power, mystique, grandeur, continuity, and
endurance of the ruling dynasty. Benin was
controlled by the Oba, a divine ruler at the head
of the political system. As the office of the Oba
became increasingly ceremonial and the art
produced evolved into an instrument of the state,
as seen in this work. The structure of the piece
elegantly conforms to the cylindrical shape of
the ivory tusk from which it was carved. One
figure of an Oba stands upon another,
suggesting his divine heredity and the continuity
of his rulership with his ancestors. The Oba
above bears several signs of his status. He holds
a large sword in his right arm. He is bejeweled
with coral necklaces, bracelets, and anklets that
were only worn by the Oba. A coral or pearl
headdress, merging with the hairdo, covers his
head like a net. His face is depicted in the typical
Benin courtly style, characterized by big open
eyes and wide nostrils and lips. The king stands
upon the head of a deceased Oba. Here, the
face, similar to the one above, is framed by the
headdress and coral necklaces. This truncated
head sits upon a base carved with a band of four
full-length figures which all wear elaborate
costumes while a braided pattern decorates the
frieze at the bottom of the piece. Undoubtedly,
this work would have played an integral role in
the royal ceremonies the Oba held to celebrate
and fortify his standing. It would have been
placed on a special altar further acknowledging
its vital position. Both the form and the original
function of this piece symbolize the rightful
place of power that the Oba possessed.
- (PF.5543)
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