Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Beaded Crown (Ade) of Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, Ogoga of Ikere 1890-1928

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Beaded Crown (Ade) of Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, Ogoga of Ikere 1890-1928

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 This crown was originally made for Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, the king of Ikere from 1890 to 1928.


• Culture: Yoruba
• Medium: Fiber, beads, cloth, basketry
• Place Made: Nigeria
• Dates: late 19th century
• Dimensions: 37 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (95.9 x 24.1 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 70.109.1a-b
• Credit Line: Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund, Frederick Loeser Fund, and the Carll H. de Silver Fund
• Image: Overall, 70.109.1a-b_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Yoruba. Beaded Crown (Ade) of Onijagbo Obasoro Alowolodu, Ogoga of Ikere 1890-1928, late 19th century. Fiber, beads, cloth, basketry, 37 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (95.9 x 24.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Caroline A.L. Pratt Fund, Frederick Loeser Fund, and the Carll H. de Silver Fund, 70.109.1a-b (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 70.109.1a-b_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Conical basketry frame, covered with beaded cloth. Bead colors: green, yellow, amber, red, orange, white, royal and navy blue, and aqua. Top of crown surrmounted by dettachable bird. Second tier has four standing human figures, third tier has two frontal faces, two equestrian figures, and two standing figures. Attached beaded flaps at rim, with geometric patterns. Open work veil with frontal face. CONDITION: Veil flap missing beads, as are equestrian figures, left standing figures, and second tier standing figures. Flaps and cloth framework frayed. Cinical basketry frame, covered by stiffened cloth base and embroidered with green, amber, yellow, red, orange, white, royal blue, aqua, and navy blue beads. Top of crown surrmounted by dettachable bird. Second tier of crown has four standing figures. Third tier has two frontal faces, two equestrian figures, two standing figures. Thress attached beaded flaps at rim, decorated with geometric designs. Forth flap, a veil, is open work with frontal face. CONDITION: Veil flap missing beads wherejoins crown proper. Beads missing from equestrian, left standing figure, and four figures of second tier. Flaps and cloth framework is frayed