Cast bronze head of Benin king, or oba, from shrine in royal palace

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The kings (obas) of Benin in Nigeria have traditionally been believed to rule with divine power. Cast bronze figures representing past kings were kept on altars in the royal palace, so that current kings could revere their divine ancestors.

This heavy cast bronze head shows an oba wearing a precious, sacred beadwork crown and high collar, symbols of his power. Other symbols are shown around the base. The top of the head has a socket where a carved elephant tusk once stood.

Royal ancestral altars were the focus for the veneration of the oba's divine ancestors. The well-being of the Benin people was believed to rely on the oba's well-being, and this in turn depended on that of the ancestors.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-753-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1898.381
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Bronze
  Shrine
  
• Dimensions: 18.00" H
  
• What: Shrine
  
• Subject: Bronzes
  
• Who:
• Where: Nigeria, Midwestern State, Benin City
  
• Event:
• Description: Bronze human head pedestal, with circular hole in the crown and beadwork cap from which project two horn-like forms over the face, bead collar covers the chin, with cicatrices on eyebrows and pupils
  
• References:
  • Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: