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Beaded Cap for an Egúngún Masquerade

Beaded Cap for an Egúngún Masquerade

Unknown

This beaded crest surmounted an elaborate cloth costume for an Egúngún masquerader that honored the spirit of ancestors. The crest is a classical hairstyle associated with brides and devotees of Shango, a deified Yorùbá king. On the crest’s edge, Shango’s symbolic colors, red (heat) and white (cool), evoke his tempestuous nature.
Artist
Unknown (Nigerian, Yorùbá People)
Title
Beaded Cap for an Egúngún Masquerade
Date
mid-20th century
Medium
Beads, fabric, and wood
Dimensions
6 3/4 x 10 3/4 x 8 in. Overall
Credit
Gift of Drs. James and Gladys Witt Strain
Accession No.
1992.80
Classification
Beadwork
Geography
Nigeria

Related

5 May 1992, gifted by Drs. James and Gladys Strain (Riverdale, NY) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

  • Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
  • Drewal, Henry John. "African Art at the Elvehjem." Bulletin/Biennial Report 2001-2003. Elvehjem Museum of Art (2003): 16-36. pp. 16-36
  • Elvehjem Museum of Art. "Artscene." Vol. 19, No. 2, January-June, 2002. p. 6

  • Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002
  • Strung, Woven, Knitted & Sewn: Beadwork from Europe, Africa, Asia and Americas: Milwaukee Art Museum, 11/21/1997–1/18/1998

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