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Crown

National Museum of African Art

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 Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks.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
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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