pendant (neck ornament (personal adornment))

The ownership of this object was transferred to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in November 2022.

A bronze pendant, in the form of a plaque. Benin City. The pendant is depicting three armoured figures with arms grasped. The figure in the centre is an Oba (king), 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 the back for suspension. Made by Igun Eronmwon guildmembers (bronze and brass casters).

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
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 182 mm x 138 mm x 45 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
copper alloy
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
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