- Type 1: Top Two Images The British Museum: Cast Bronze of Queen Idia
- Type 2: Bottom Two Images The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Head of Iyoba
Description
Placed next to the aseberia (altar tableau) on the Iyoba’s (queen mother’s) royal ancestor altar, in the palace of the ruling Oba (king), these heads (uhunmwun elao meaning 'ancestral memorial head') are commissioned by the ruling Oba after the passing of his mother. Used to commemorate his mother and to depict the position in court that she once held i.e. “her responsibility in protecting the health and well-being of her son, the Oba, thereby protecting the security and prosperity of the kingdom”.2
After the Iyoba's death, a large altar (a semi-circular mud platform onto which altar objects are placed) is created upon which the uhunmwun elao sits (along with a number of other objects and sculptures). The altar serves as a point of communication with the deceased Iyoba as well as to celebrate the life and successes of the Iyoba.
For more, see the The Tribal Eye: Kingdom of Bronze video HERE on the Oba of Benin City.
Distinguishing Features
- According to Philip Dark2, two types of Iyoba heads exist:
- Type 1:
- Tight fitting bead collar under the chin
- Facial features are sensitive and naturalistic
- Thin walled
- Coral bead crown with high forward pointing peak (ede Iyoba)
- Eyes are inlaid with iron irises
- Sometimes feature four raised oval scarification marks above each eye (called ikharo)
- Type 2:
- Large, thick walled and heavy
- High cylindrical bead collar that comes up to mouth
- Coral bead crown with high forward pointing peak (ede Iyoba)
- Semicircular opening at top of crown (for ivory tusk)
- Bead clusters on crown
- Beaded headband which wraps around the forehead, tied with a bow at the back
- Eyes are inlaid with iron irises
- Lower part of face swells outward
- Eyes enlarged and heavily outlined
- Four raised oval scarification marks above each eye (called ikharo)
- Flange around the base of head
- Type 1:
References
