1994.196.McD Figure of a town chief (iyase)

This figure represents an iyase (town chief) of Udo, a provincial town in the Benin Kingdom. Elements of royal regalia are detailed on the sculpture: a beaded tulip-shaped crown, a high beaded collar, a leopard's-teeth necklace, paired brass bracelets, a beaded band across the scarified torso, a kilt fastened with a minature head of a leopard, and beaded anklets. He carries the remnant of a ceremonial sword. The coral beads were luxury items obtained through trade with Portugal.

The figure relates to a story about the deadly rivalry between two late 15th-century princes, half-brothers Esigie and Arhuanran. Arhuanran, who lived in Udo, was the heir to the throne. During a battle for the kingship, Esigie outmaneouvered Arhuanran and became the oba (king) of Benin. Esigie subsequently created a separate court for his brother at Udo with the stipulation that the iyase would always be appointed by the oba.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.

By 1959: Price Collection, Los Angeles [1]

n.d.: The Estate of Vincent Price, Los Angeles

1994: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased through L & R Entwhistle & Co Ltd, London [2], [3]

Notes:

[1] Vincent Price, I Like What I Know: A Visual Autobiography (New York: Doubleday & Co., 1959), 146-170.

[2] See the invoice dated November 23, 1994, in the Collections Records object file.

[3] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.

Benin high ranking chiefs, 194832306: UMO

Apply to objects where number equals 1994.196.McD