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Beaded Royal Crown with Bird (Adénlá)

Beaded Royal Crown with Bird (Adénlá)

Currently unknown artist or artists (Yorùbá style)

Yorùbá artists made and used beads well before the introduction of European glass seed beads. Glass bead making flourished in the city of Ilé-Ifẹ̀ in present day Nigeria between the 11th and 15th centuries. Regalia such as beaded crowns signify the prestige of kings. The head is the primary source of power in Yorùbá belief, making regalia that adorns it especially significant. For ceremonies, the Oba (or chief) wears an adénlá crown.
Artist/Maker
Currently unknown artist or artists (Yorùbá style)
Title
Beaded Royal Crown with Bird (Adénlá)
Date
probably early 20th century
Material & Process
Beads, palm fiber, and fabric
Dimensions
14 x 6 3/4 x 7 1/2 in. Overall
Credit
Gift of Drs. James and Gladys Witt Strain
Inventory No.
1993.80a-b
Classification
Beadwork
Location
Nigeria

Related

23 December 1993, 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

  • Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002

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Information about artworks presented here may not reflect the most current research. Chazen staff update records as new details emerge; please verify independently for scholarly use and notify us of any errors.