Collections: African Art

Beaded Crown (Ade) of Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, Ogoga of Ikere, 1890–1928. Nigeria, Ikere-Ikete. Yoruba artist, late 19th century. Basketry, beads, cloth, 36 1/4 x 32 1/2 in. (92.7 x 82.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Caroline A. L. Pratt Fund, Frederick Loeser Art Fund and The Carll H. de Silver Fund, 70.109.1

The ultimate symbol of Yoruba kingship is the bead-embroidered crown. All crowns have certain features in common, such as a representation of okin, the royal bird, that surmounts the crown and, on the front, the face of Oduduwa, the creator-god who became the first king of Ife, the ancient capital. Each oba, or king, may have one or more crowns, and each crown has its own distinctive design elements. The representations of the two horsemen and attendant figures on this crown symbolize the king's status and quite likely his military prowess, but the horse can also represent spirituality in Yoruba thought. The beaded veil that covers the face of the wearer serves a dual purpose: it depersonalizes the oba while emphasizing his office, and it protects onlookers from the danger of casting their eyes directly on the awesome radiance of a king who is also believed to be divine. This crown was originally made for Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, the king of Ikere from 1890 to 1928.