Material: ivory with inlaid iron

Size: 9.5 x 5 x 3 in.

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First, take a minute or two to look closely at the images above. Write down your reaction to this object--what details do you notice? Why did you pick this object for your response paper? Make notes on things that you notice about it. Also, write down any questions you have about it--what kinds of things would you want to know about this object? Remember the questions we ask in class. You don't need to have answers for these questions yet, but keep them in your notes.

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Once you have some questions written down, try to answer them by reading the information I've provided below about this object and its context.​

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What do we know about this object?​

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This mask shows the face of a woman, specifically Queen Mother Idia from the kingdom of Benin. The kingdom of Benin (in present-day Nigeria) was plunged into a state of turmoil at the end of the fifteenth century when the oba (king) Ozolua died and left two powerful sons to dispute succession. His son Esigie controlled Benin City, while another son, Arhuaran, was based in the equally important city of Udo about twenty miles away. The ensuing civil war severely compromised Benin’s status as a regional power and undermined Benin City’s place at the political and cultural center of the kingdom. Exploiting this weakness, the neighboring Igala peoples sent warriors across the Benue River to wrest control of Benin’s northern territories. Esigie ultimately defeated his brother and conquered the Igala, reestablishing the unity and military strength of the kingdom. His mother Idia received much of the credit for these victories as her political counsel, together with her mystical powers and medicinal knowledge, were viewed as critical elements of Esigie’s success on the battlefield. To reward and honor her, Esigie created a new position within the court called the iyoba, or queen mother, which gave her significant political privileges, including a separate residence with its own staff.

 

As mother of the king, Idia and later iyobas wielded considerable power. Until recent times, the queen mother, who bore the oba’s first son, had no other children and devoted her life to raising the future ruler of the kingdom, a role she was destined to play even before her own birth. Queen mothers were therefore viewed as instrumental to the protection and well-being of the oba and, by extension, the kingdom. Indeed, obas wore carved ivory pendant masks representing the iyoba during ceremonies designed to rid the kingdom of malevolent spiritual forces. Within the court, the queen mother’s political status was equal to that of a senior chief, and she enjoyed the right to commission precious works of art for personal and devotional use. Images of the iyoba portray her in a shirt of coral beads flanked by attendants bearing symbols of political and spiritual power. As with ancestral obas, deceased iyobas were venerated with cast-brass memorial heads displayed on royal altars.

 

The mask itself is carved out of ivory, a precious material. In Benin, ivory is related to the color white, a symbol of ritual purity that is associated with Olokun, god of the sea. As the source of extraordinary wealth and fertility, Olokun is the spiritual counterpart of the "oba". Ivory is central to the constellation of symbols surrounding Olokun and the "oba". Not only is it white, but it is Benin's principle commercial export and it helped attract the Portuguese traders who also brought wealth to Benin. Four carved scarification marks, a number associated with females, indicate her gender. Iron inlays for the pupils and rims of the eyes intensify the Queen Mother’s authoritative gaze and suggest her inner strength. The two vertical depressions on her forehead were also inlaid with iron, and allude to medicine-filled incisions that were one source of Idia’s metaphysical power. She is depicted wearing a choker of coral beads and her hair is arranged in an elegant configuration that resembles a tiara.

The miniature motifs of Portuguese faces depicted along the summit make reference to the extraordinary wealth generated in the Benin kingdom in the sixteenth century through trade with the Portuguese. Since the Portuguese arrived by sea, generated local wealth, and have white skin, they were immediately connected to Olokun, god of the sea, who is associated with the color white. Additionally, Olokun is linked to purity, the world of the dead, and fertility. The mudfish motif, which alternates with the Portuguese faces, is one of the primary symbols of Benin kingship. It is associated with the quality of being aggressive due to its ferocious electric sting and its ability to survive in water and on land. Because they live both on land and in the water, mudfish represent the king's dual nature as human and divine. Having come from across the seas, the Portuguese were considered denizens of the spirit realm who brought wealth and power to the oba. 

This mask could have been suspended and worn by using the lugs located above and below the ears of the mask (see the image viewing the mask from behind). Oba Esigie is said to have worn this mask as a pectoral during rites commemorating his mother. The hollow back, holes around the perimeter, and stopper composed of several tendrils of hair at the summit suggest that the mask functioned as an amulet, filled with special and powerful materials that protected the wearer. Today, such pendants are worn at the waist during annual ceremonies of spiritual renewal and purification.

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This mask was first acquired by Sir Ralph Moor, who was the high commissioner of the British Southern Nigeria Protectorate. When the Benin kingdom was conquered by the British in 1897, this mask came into Sir Moor's possession. The mask eventually passed into the collection of Nelson Rockefeller, who gifted it to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1972.

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Some things to consider in your response paper:​

• What was your response to this object? What drew your eye? What do you like about it, or dislike? You are encouraged to use first person (I/me) in your response paper. I want to know what you think.

• Consider the artistic details of this object carefully. What kinds of decisions did the artist make when they were creating this piece, and why? Use your art terminology. How is the artist using things like line, texture, or different materials to highlight important parts of this sculpture?

• Place this object into its historical and cultural context. In what ways does this mask convey the power and wealth of the person depicted? Imagine this mask being used and worn. How does wearing this object add to the power or authority of the king? How does this object help us understand the history of interaction between Benin Kingdom and various European kingdoms?