oba figure, unrecorded Bini artist

Artwork Overview

oba figure, late 1800s–1975
Where object was made: Nigeria
Material/technique: casting; brass
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 53.5 x 19 x 21 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 21 1/16 x 7 1/2 x 8 1/4 in
Credit line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. Kenneth Palmer
Accession number: 2007.3047
Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Collection Cards: People

You can tell that this oba, or king, is royalty because of the ceremonial sword (eben) that he holds and because of the luxurious clothing that he wears. The bead-like patterns of his clothing, necklaces, and headpiece represent the red coral beads—a material only an oba was allowed to wear. The head on this sculpture is very large compared with the rest of the body, showing its importance. The Bini peoples believe that the head is a symbol of life and behavior in this world. The Bini people live in Nigeria and are the descendants of the founders of the Benin Empire, which was famous for its metalwork.

What other kinds of clothing do people wear to show that they are important?

If you were to emphasize, or make more noticeable, something about yourself in a self-portrait, what would it be?

Exhibitions

Cassandra Mesick Braun, curator
Kate Meyer, curator
Celka Straughn, curator
2016–2021
Kate Meyer, curator
2020
Kate Meyer, curator
2020