Yoruba Oba Beaded Crown

The Yoruban tribes of Nigeria are some of Africa's most famous artisans. Their deep mythologies fired the imaginations and talents of skilled craftspeople. Made only for kings, their beaded crowns are testaments to this artisinal tradition. Considered direct media to the gods, Yoruban kings were enshrined in beads to represent their status, birds to denote their ability to cross into the spirit realms, and low-hanging tassels to remind others they were in the presence not of a man, but of a spiritually unique being. Mounted on a custom steel stand, this conical crown is a spirited sculptural object.