See Collection File: Af1898,0630. ~Note from EPS Roupell (3 June 1898): Cap. Worn on state occasions. "~Read & Dalton 1899: Cap made of a network of coral beads with a kind of tassel of larger beads at one side. This cap resembles those shown on the heads in Af1898,0115.4.~Plankensteiner 2007: ‘A child surpasses beads’. This Edo adage compares offspring to costly red coral (ivie ebo’ or ‘European beads’) and stone beads (‘ivie egbo’ or ‘forest beads’). The latter, brownish-red agate or jasper (both varieties of chalcedony), are older imports from the north. The Portuguese introduced red Mediterranean coral in the last 15th century; its colour fit pre-existing tastes and symbolism – red is power, blood and danger. In Benin, both types are collectively referred to as ‘ivie’ and called ‘coral’ by English-speakers. The monarch’s identity is linked to coral. After the 1897 invasion, Oba Ovonramwen faced the British in a white wrapper ‘covered with masses of strings of coral, interspersed with larger pieces […] His head dress […] was composed wholly of coral of excellent quality, meshed closely together, and must have weighed very heavily on his head, for it was constantly being temporarily removed by an attendant. His wrists up to his elbows were closely covered with coral bangles, so were his ankles’ (Roth 1968:xiii). These...belongings are very similar to today’s royal dress. ...All beaded regalia...would have been assembled and maintained by the Enisen, members of the palace Iwebo society. These official dressers assist the Oba, his mother and the more important chiefs. This tasselled coral mesh cap is a crown (ede). The Oba is never seen bare-headed, yet this is much lighter and cooler than ceremonial versions. Rulers constantly introduce crown variations, but coral mesh has been a mainstay since at least the 16th century. Coral beads have a mystical, medicinal aspect and are protective. In Renaissance Europe, coral averted the evil eye, a belief probably communicated to Africa. Its defensive use in Benin is supported by an annual ‘charging’ at the Ugie Ivie ceremony, held at Oba Ewuare’s shrine. The Oba’s and his chiefs’ coral are touched with sacrificial animal heads to purify and reinvigorate it; in centuries past, a slave was killed for this purpose.
Exhibitions Loans and Displays - Current and Pastexhibition history Exhibited: 1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa 1993-1997, London, Museum of Mankind, Great Benin: a West African Kingdom 2007 May-Sept, Vienna, Museum für Völkerkunde, Benin. Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria 2007-2008 Oct-Jan, Paris, Musée du quai Branly, Benin. Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria 2008 Feb-May, Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum, Benin. Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria 2008 Jun-Sept, Chicago, The Art Institute of Chicago, Benin. Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria