Bracelet: Portuguese Heads and Mudfish

Unknown

16th–18th century · Brass · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

The oba and chiefs of Benin wear pairs of ornate bracelets at palace festivals. Long and cylindrical, these cufflike ornaments may be made of either ivory or brass and display imagery reflecting the exalted status of their bearers. On this example, images of mudfish and Portuguese heads--both referring to the king's divine nature and his association with Olokun--alternate following a checkerboard patern around the bracelet.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th–18th century

Medium

Brass

Culture

Edo peoples

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1991