Art African Coiffe Beaded Yoruba 1022

Description

Ref: m-1022
Height: 72cm
Product Description
Nigerian Yoruba beaded headdress. Old piece over 40 years old. Supplied on a base.
Among the Yoruba, the ade or adela crown is the symbol of royal authority.
In ancient times, the face of the Oba, king by divine right, had to be completely hidden.
More recently, a simple curtain of pearls hides her face.
Legend has it that Oduduwa, the founder of the first Yoruba kingdom in Ile Ifé, gave all his sons a beaded crown before sending each one to establish his own kingdom.
It was from the Oni of Ifé, whose spiritual authority was recognized by all Yoruba peoples, that the most important kings were given the right to wear the crown of pearls.
For the Yoruba, the Oba is deified, similar to an Orisha identified with Oduduwa and linked to the city of Ile Ifé.
When the Ade is placed on the head of the Oba, the latter enters into a relationship with his deceased royal ancestors who joined the pantheon of the gods.
In the past, crowns were made with large red jasper pearls, carnelian from Ilorin, or sometimes with cowries.
From the 19th century, European pearls in multiple colors arrived in Africa, which were then used for the manufacture of crowns, but also tunics and other royal adornments.
In its conical shape, the crown bears many brightly colored birds on the sides.
At the top is placed a removable bird as tradition dictates, sometimes as a tail, we will find a feather attributed to Okin, Oba eye (the egret, chief of birds).
On the perimeter, we can find the symbols of the creation of the Yoruba universe:
snake, bird, panther, crocodile or salamander, ancestors …
The faces or other figures have been assimilated either to the face of Oduduwa, or as a set of ever-vigilant royal ancestors.
Some also see it as the face of Olokun who is a deity of the sea and the patron of pearl artists.
Finally, others think that it is Obalufon, the inventor of pearls.
Either way, the headdress is part of a whole with the tunic and is intended to signify the extraordinary powers held by the King.
African art, African mask
African art african tribal arte africana afrikanische kunst
Piece delivered with an invoice and a certificate of authenticity.
Legend has it that Oduduwa, the founder of the first Yoruba kingdom in Ile Ifé, gave all his sons a beaded crown before sending each one to establish his own kingdom. It was from the Oni of Ifé, whose spiritual authority was recognized by all Yoruba peoples, that the most important kings were given the right to wear the crown of pearls. When the Ade is placed on the head of the Oba, the latter enters into a relationship with his deceased royal ancestors who joined the pantheon of the gods. From the 19th century, European pearls in multiple colors arrived in Africa, which were then used for the manufacture of crowns, but also tunics and other royal adornments. At the top is placed a removable bird as tradition dictates, sometimes as a tail, we will find a feather attributed to Okin, Oba eye