Benin Ivory Mask

Edo People, Iyoba Pendant Mask, 
16th c., ivory, iron, copper 


The Queen Mother Pendant Mask (Iyoda) was sculpted the early 16th century by the Edo people off the coast Benin in Nigeria. It is a depiction of the Queen Mother Idia created for her son in her honor. She was known for fighting merciless to secure her son lineage as he was to be the future king. It is said that Oba would have worn the mask on his chest during ceremonies to commemorate his mother. It is apparent that family especially the mother plays a significant role in these people's lineage. If the first born is a son, the Queen Mother will not have any other children and just focus on her son. 

 This is an incredible intricate piece that is made of ivory, copper, and iron. In the Benin culture ivory has two significance meanings behind it, while the white stand for is purity and the ivory itself represents wealth. The hair on this piece is depicted in the shape of a tiara. Each of the points on the tiara are alternating of faces mudfish and Portugueses traders. This is meant to honor the trading relationship between the Portuguese people who brought wealth to the Edo people. The mudfish are creatures that live on land and in water, they symbolize the king’s dueling nature of humanity and being divine.  

 

 



Dr. Christa Clarke, "Queen Mother Pendant Mask (Iyoba) (Edo peoples)," in Smarthistory, October 10, 2016, accessed February 28, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/queen-mother-pendant-mask-iyoba/.

HENI Talks, "Benin ivory mask (Edo peoples)," in Smarthistory, June 17, 2018, accessed February 28, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/ivory-mask-benin/.

Comments

  1. Sara YaunMarch 10, 2021 at 8:30 PM

    In general I'm very fascinated by carvings of ivory, all that I've ever seen are so intricate and the details are so small. I can't even imagine how hard it was to carve a mask like the Iyoba pendant mask and it's even worse if you mess up. There's no way to erase a mistake like you could with pencil on paper.

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