Edo
Head (Uhunmwun Elao)
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Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, Stati Uniti
Appartiene alla collezione, ma al momento non è esposta.
- Verificato
- Ultimo cambio di stato
- Fonte
- I dati di collezione del museo stesso
About the sculpture
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.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Scheda
- Numero di inventario
- 2003.16
What it shows
In catalogo
Fonti
- Art Institute of Chicago: the museum's own open data · acquisita 7 giorni fa
- Immagine: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
