oba (king) figure, unrecorded Bini artist

Artwork Overview

oba (king) figure, mid-late 1900s
Where object was made: Nigeria
Material/technique: bronze; casting
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 21.5 x 9 x 7.5 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 8 7/16 x 3 9/16 x 2 15/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Delbert and Carol Shankel
Accession number: 2007.1266
On display: Michaelis Gallery

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Images

Label texts

Empowerment
These two portrait busts represent rulers from different periods of the Benin Kingdom in the southern forests of Nigeria. Oba and Iyoba are considered to have great metaphysical and spiritual power. Each figure is represented wearing their royal regalia that is traditionally made of coral. In this museum setting, they are displaced from their original African contexts but still retain their power through their regal imagery and posture.
Empowerment
These two portrait busts represent rulers from different periods of the Benin Kingdom in the southern forests of Nigeria. Oba and Iyoba are considered to have great metaphysical and spiritual power. Each figure is represented wearing their royal regalia that is traditionally made of coral. In this museum setting, they are displaced from their original African contexts but still retain their power through their regal imagery and posture.

Exhibitions

Susan Earle, curator
Celka Straughn, curator
Kristina Walker, curator
Angela Watts, curator
2022–2027