Pendant Item Number: K2.443 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Metal mask pendant of an Iyoba's face (Queen Mother), wearing a ruler's red bead headdress and collar. The eyes are wide, the nose is slim, and the mouth is slightly parted. The ears are curled flat. The headdress is decorated with lattice work and has flower-like protrusions along the sides.

History Of Use

This type of bronze figure portrays queen mothers of the Benin royal family. Referred to as Iyoba – Queen Mother – these memorials are one of the few historical depictions of women in Benin. Iyoba as representation emerged when Queen Idia, the mother of Oba (King) Esigie who ruled 1504–1550, defended her position as a member of the royal court. She began a tradition of queen mothers being memorialized through commemorative bronze castings for ancestral veneration. This type of pendant, which is often also made of ivory, is believed to be either worn around the Oba's waist or placed on an altar. If worn by the Oba, these pendants are believed to be used in carrying charms for the Oba's protection.

Specific Techniques

Made with the cire-perdue or lost-wax method. The mould is made of beeswax, covered with clay, and then fired. The wax melts and the hollow clay cast is then filled with scraps of copper-based alloy, before being fired for a second time. XRF analysis suggests the piece is made of leaded brass, typical of the 18-19th centuries.

Item History

What

Name
Pendant
Identification Number
K2.443
Type of Item
pendant
Material
brass metal
Manufacturing Technique
cast
Overall
height 25.5 cm, width 16.7 cm, depth 9.2 cm

Who

Culture
Edo
Previous Owner
Walter C. Koerner
Received from
Walter C. Koerner (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Benin City, Edo, Nigeria

When

Creation Date
before 1900
Ownership Date
before 1972
Acquisition Date
during 1972

Other

Item Classes
metalwork
Condition
fair
Accession Number
0160/0102