pendant (neck ornament (personal adornment))

Frontal view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.235
Rear view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.235
Frontal view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.235 Rear view of whole of Horniman Museum object no 99.235

Bronze pendant in the form of a plaque, decorated with three armoured figures with arms grasped. The figure in the centre is an Oba, and he is supported on either side by an official. A frog or toad is depicted beneath the feet of each official, and there is a snake below the feet of the Oba. The pendant has a bronze loop on back for suspension.

Pendants like this, in the form of plaques, would have been worn by important Edo chiefs. The image of an Oba supported by an official on each side is a frequent motif in Benin royal sculpture. It signifies that the Oba’s power is dependent on the loyalty and support of the people.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
99.235
Date
before 1897
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 182 mm x 138 mm x 45 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
copper alloy
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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