Crown

Object Details

Yoruba artist

Label Text

The four staring faces are said to represent the all-seeing gods or ancestors. Their protruding eyes signify when the spiritual eye replaces ordinary vision. The two figures with mudfish legs refer to supernatural powers in two realms, land and water--or reality and spirit. The projecting stem of the crown may allude to stored spiritual power in the wearer's head and also show that the wearer is exempt from everyday chores such as the carrying of loads on one's head.

Description

Copper alloy stem-on-cone crown with four low relief figures, alternating male figures and displayed figures, all with projecting slanted oval eyes and triangular hats. The crown has copper patina (green) on areas. The stem has lozenge-shaped designs behind the major relief figure.

Exhibition History

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 4, 2017-ongoing

African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 15, 2007-March 31, 2009

For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1981

Published References

Jacob, Alain. 1974. Bronzes de l'Afrique noire. Paris: Muse´e de l'Homme, pp. 43-44.

Kreamer, Christine Mullen, Bryna Freyer and Andrea Nicolls. 2007. African Vision: The Walt Disney-Tishman African Art Collection. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, pp. 210-211, no. 74.

Vogel, Susan (ed). 1981. For Spirits and Kings: African Art from the Paul and Ruth Tishman Collection. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, pp. 108-110, no. 59.

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company

Late 19th-early 20th century

Object number

2005-6-74

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Textile and Fiber Arts

Medium

Copper alloy

Dimensions

H x W x D: 24 x 21 x 20 cm (9 7/16 x 8 1/4 x 7 7/8 in.)

Geography

Ijebu, Nigeria

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Exhibition

Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa's Arts

On View

NMAfA, Second Level Gallery (2193)

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Leadership

Status

mudfish

male

Record ID

nmafa_2005-6-74

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7dcf286df-6818-41f0-a6eb-83909734a509