1994.201.McD Waist pendant plaque

The central figure on the ivory pendant is the oba (king) of the Benin Kingdom, distinguished by his central placement, his slightly larger size, and the ornament—called the Bead of Kingship—on his chest. The oba is supported by two similarly dressed high-ranking court officials, reminding all that the king cannot stand alone but must maintain a balance between his authority over the Edo people and their willingness to be ruled by him. The oba stands on the head of the sea god Olokun, from whose nostrils mudfish flow. The sea, symbolic of overseas trade, was the source of Benin’s wealth and well-being. Such pendants were worn at the waist by the oba and selected officials.

Despite its heavier weight, the similar cast metal pendant was also worn at the waist. The various emblems worn by Benin officials were designed to test the wearer’s physical and psychic strength, so the heavy metal would have been an asset. Originally, there were round crotal bells on chains attached to the small loops around the edges of the pendant.

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

1897: William Kelland, collected on the Benin Punitive Expedition of 1897 [1]

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

[1] Christie's. Tribal Art. Auction catalogue. March 24, 1992. London: Christie's. Lot 247.

[2] 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 Fun remains with the Fund.

Dr. Roslyn Walker discusses a waist pendant from Nigeria, Benin Kingdom, 12937238: UMO

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