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African Mask

Figure 50 Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba, 16th century;
artist: Unknown Ebo;
Ivory, iron, and possibly copper, H. 9 3/8 x W. 5 x D. 2 1/2 in. (23.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972, 1978.412.323 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.

Object/Work🔺

  • Catalog Level:🔺 item (value type: controlled list)
  • Type:🔺 mask (value type: authority)

Classification🔺

  • Terms:🔺
    sculpture
    costume
    African Art (value type: controlled list)

Titles or Names🔺

  • Text:🔺 Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba (value type: free text)
    Preference: preferred (value type: controlled list)
    Type: repository

  • Text:🔺 Iyoba
    Preference: alternate

Creation🔺

  • Creator Description:🔺 unknown Edo (value type: free text)

  • Identity:🔺 unknown Edo (_value type: authority)
    Role:🔺 artist

  • Creation Date:🔺 16th century (value type: free text)
    Earliest:🔺 1501 Latest:🔺 1600 (value type: controlled format)

  • Creation Place/Original Location: Igun-Eronmwen Guild (Benin, Nigeria) (value type: free text and/or controlled format)

Style/Period/Group/Movement

  • Indexing Terms: Edo (value type: authority)

Measurements🔺

  • Dimensions Description:🔺 23.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm (9 3/8 x 5 x 2 1/2 inches) (value type: free text)

  • Value: 23.8 Unit: cm Type: height
    Value: 12.7 Unit: cm Type: width
    Value: 6.4 Unit: cm Type: diameter (value type: controlled format and controlled lists)

Materials and Techniques🔺

  • Description:🔺 ivory, iron, and copper (value type: free text)

  • Material Name:
    ivory
    iron
    copper
    Technique Name: carving
    inlaid metal (value type: authority)

Subject Matter🔺

  • Indexing Terms:🔺
    human figure
    face
    female
    ceremonial object
    Idia (Benin queen)
    white
    Olokun (Yoruba spirit)
    tiara
    necklace (value type: authority)

Descriptive Note

  • Text: Made of ivory, which symbolizes ritual purity, wealth, and fertitlity in Benin culture, this pendant mask evokes the symbology of Olokun, the Benin god of the sea, and oba, the traditional ruler of Benin. The mask’s decorative imagery, including a tiara and collar made of carved mudfish, represents the king’s dual nature as both human and divine. Though women are rarely depicted in Benin’s courtly tradition, this mask is notable in that it is thought to have been commissioned by Oba Esigie, the King of Benin, to represent and honor his mother, Idia. The mask was likely worn by Oba Esigie during rites ceremonies to commemorate his mother.(value type: free text)

  • Citation: The Met Collection online (value type: authority)
    Page: accessed 17 July 2024 (value type: free text)

Current Location🔺

  • Repository Name/Geographic Location:🔺 The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York, United States) (value type: authority)
    Repository Numbers:🔺 1978.412.323 (value type: free text)

NOTE: 🔺 indicates a core CDWA category.

Revised 24 July 2024
by Emily Benoff

Figure 50 Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba, 16th century;
artist: Unknown Ebo;
Ivory, iron, and possibly copper, H. 9 3/8 x W. 5 x D. 2 1/2 in. (23.8 x 12.7 x 6.4 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972, 1978.412.323 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.