Crown (Adenla)

Unknown

19th–20th century · Cotton, beads, bone, wood · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The conical woven frame upon which a Yoruba leader’s crown is constructed is a microcosm of the world and a visualization of personhood. A bead artist recites prayers and makes offerings before undertaking the elaboration of its surface. This example’s exuberant color and pattern exemplify ojú-ọnà, an ideal quality of design consciousness and originality. An adéńlá is complete when a priest inserts herbal medicines that transform and fuse the wearer’s identity with that of the crown’s sacred lineage.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–20th century

Medium

Cotton, beads, bone, wood

Culture

Yoruba peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Ernst Anspach, 1976