Aug 23, 2019
Crown (Ade) from the Kingdom of Idowa (Nigeria) (Late 19th/mid–20th century)
This elaborate conical crown once belonged to the king (dagburewe) of Idowa, a town in southwest Nigeria. It refers to the inner head (ori inu) or spiritual essence of a Yoruba ruler. The faces outlined with beads establish a link to past kings, who serve as influential ancestors to the present one. The beaded veil protects onlookers from the king’s potent gaze while multiple three-dimensional birds allude to the supernatural powers of women.
