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.

Over de sculptuur

Gegevens

Buren in huis: Art Institute of Chicago

Over hetzelfde thema · Ancestors

Ontvangt momenteel niet

Wat het toont

In de catalogus

Bronnen

Commemorative Head

Plaque

Altar Head for a Chief

statuette d'Oba

Statuette de reine

The Bedroom, 1889

Dimanche d'été à la Grande Jatte, 1884–86, border added 1888–89

Rue de Paris, temps de pluie, 1877

Twee zusjes, 1881

Mand met appelen, c. 1893

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

American Gothic, 1930

Nighthawks, 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