2015.3 Waist pendant with three figures

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: British Government, collected Benin City, Nigeria, during British Punitive Expedition of 1897

Around 1941-1963: Carlebach Galleries, Inc. (Julius Carlebach), New York

1963-2007: Dr. Jay T. Last , Beverly Hills, California [1]

2007-2014: Mace Collection, Springfield, Missouri

2014: Shango Galleries (John Buxton), Dallas, Texas, on consignment from above

2014: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above [2]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the Provenance Chart attached to the Worksheet for Acquisitions of Archaeological Materials and Ancient Art in the Collections Records object file (2015.3). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.

[1] Personal communication, Dr. Roslyn A. Walker, Senior Curator of the Arts of Africa, the Americas, and the Pacific and The Margaret McDermott Curator of African Art, August 26, 2014.

[2] See the copy of the Guarantee and Indemity document in the Collections Records object file.

188988023: UMO

BBC: A History of the World in 100 Objects~Learn more about the oba and Benin plaques.

Apply to objects where number equals 2015.3