During important ceremonies the seated Oba
(king) rests his feet on a beaded cushion. Such
cushions are essential parts of the royal regalia.
This beautiful example is encircled with six
frontal abstract faces in brown-black, yellow-
green and red-black, highlighted by white in
each. These faces are either representations of
the Oba's ancestors, or of various orisa (deities)
'unified' by the king. Colors are important as
symbols; in this case green and yellow
predominate and are associated with the deity Ifa
(an intermediary between humans and higher
gods). The rim of the top reveals the name of the
Oba, while the internal design shows five
interlaced loops with four flower shapes in
between. These "loops" turn into flowers on the
side panel separating the faces, and are partially
hidden by leather tassels. The overall effect of
the design pattern is an object of perfect balance
and harmony, reflecting the Oba's traditional
function as a cohesive force of his people.
- (PF.5005)
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