Head (Uhunmwun Elao)

This brass head was commissioned by a newly crowned king for an altar commemorating a previous ruler, most likely the king’s father. Its shape imitates the regal coral-beaded collar and cap and served as the pedestal for a carved elephant tusk, the white color of which signaled the king’s divine and sacred nature. In Benin thought, the head is an important symbol of authority and power. Through this portrait a king channeled his deified ancestors to vitalize and protect his reign.

Sobre la escultura

Ficha

Bajo el mismo techo: Instituto de Arte de Chicago

Sobre el mismo tema · Ancestors

Por ahora no recibe

Lo que muestra

En el catálogo

Fuentes

Commemorative Head

Plaque

Altar Head for a Chief

statuette d'Oba

Statuette de reine

The Bedroom, 1889

Tarde de domingo en la isla de la Grande Jatte, 1884–86, border added 1888–89

Calle de Paris, dia de lluvia, 1877

En la terraza, 1881

Cesto de manzanas, c. 1893

Stacks of Wheat (End of Summer), 1890–91

American Gothic, 1930

Noctámbulos, 1942

Head, Mid–late 19th century

Figural Container, Late 19th-early 20th century

Headdress (Ago Egungun), Mid–late 19th century

Stela, 702 CE

Plank Mask (Luruya), Late 19th or early 20th century

Helmet Mask (Lipiko), Early to mid-20th century

Male Figure, Possibly 18th century

Face Mask (Sirige), 19th/20th century