Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba

16th century

This pair of ivory pendant masks, of which one is housed at the British Museum in London, is a rare representation of women in Benin's courtly tradition. These works are a symbol of the dynasty's legacy that continues to this day. It is believed that the pendant mask was made in the early sixteenth century for King Esigie or Oba Esigie to honor his mother, Idia. The oba might have worn it during rituals commemorating his mother, but nowadays, these pendants are worn during yearly spiritual renewal and purification ceremonies. In Benin, ivory is related to the color white, which symbolizes ritual purity associated with the sea god Olokun. Olokun is the spiritual counterpart of the oba and represents extraordinary wealth and fertility. Ivory is an essential symbol in the constellation of symbols connected to Olokun and the oba. It is white and the primary commercial commodity of Benin that helped lure the Portuguese traders who brought wealth to Benin.