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Crown (Ade)

A work made of glass beads, fabric, thread, and copper alloy.

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  • A work made of glass beads, fabric, thread, and copper alloy.

Date:

Late 19th to mid-20th century

Artist:

Yoruba
Idowa, Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

This elaborate conical crown once belonged to the king of Idowa. It refers to the inner head (ori inu) or spiritual essence of a Yoruba ruler. The faces outlined with beads establish a link to past kings, who serve as influential ancestors to the present one. The beaded veil protects onlookers from the king’s potent gaze while multiple three-dimensional birds allude to the supernatural powers of women.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Yoruba

Title

Crown (Ade)

Place

Nigeria (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1875–1975

Medium

Glass beads, fabric, thread, and copper alloy

Dimensions

102.8 × 27.6 cm (40 1/2 × 10 7/8)

Credit Line

Cora Abrahamson Endowment

Reference Number

1994.314

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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