Queen Mother Ivory Mask - Iyoba, mid 16th century

Pete Tillman
recent  |  interesting  |  random  |  favorites  |  contacts  |  sets  |  tags:  
Queen Mother Ivory Mask - Iyoba, mid 16th century
Queen Mother Ivory Mask - Iyoba, mid 16th century

Met Museum photo, crop & level adjustments by me.
Elephant ivory. Dimensions: H. 9 3/8 x W. 5 x D. 2 1/2 in. (23.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm)

This ivory pendant mask is one of a pair of nearly identical works; its counterpart is in the British Museum in London. Although images of women are rare in Benin's courtly tradition, these two works have come to symbolize the legacy of a dynasty that continues to the present day. The pendant mask is believed to have been produced in the early sixteenth century for the King or Oba Esigie, the king of Benin, to honor his mother, Idia.

It's well worth visiting the museum's web page,
www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/318622
-- and viewing the other views of this extraordinary small sculpture. For that matter, it's on permanent exhibit at the Met's Gallery 136 in the Michael Rockefeller wing. Wonderful work, presumably pilfered from the Royal Court by the Brits in 1897. It's now an iconic Benin sculpture, that the Met uses as its logo for its African tribal art.

Taken on: July 13, 2022
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with Benin Benin Everybody's photos tagged with ivory ivory Everybody's photos tagged with mask mask more » Everybody's photos tagged with Met museum Met museum Everybody's photos tagged with 16th C 16th C « less
Sets appears in:   • Art and antiquities   
Groups appears in:   • African Art    • Beautiful museums and installations    more » • The Ancient World    • At the museum    • Old art only    • Cultural Heritage Sites on earth    • Art History Images    • Arqueologia - Archaeology    • Historia y Arte ~History and Art    • ART History    • World Archaeology & Arts/ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΑ&ΤΕΧΝΕΣ-Rea    • Museums of the World    • Metropolitan Museum: Arts of Africa, Oceania, & The Americas    • The British Museum, London    • African ethnic art araound the world    • Art & Sculpture    • Artesania    • African Masks    • museum photos    • Museums of the world and their works.    • The Museum Project    • The Art History Blog    • Your Personal Favorite    • Ancient / Archaeological    • Museums!    • World Art Museum    • Objects & Art    • Photos at the Museum    • A Personal Viewpoint    • The 1500s (The 16th Century)    • (A) ANCIENT CHRONICLE    • Paint a Picture    « less
Stats: 4,369 views / 23 comments