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Idiophone with an iyọ́bà

18th–19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 342
Hand-held clappers commemorate an important event in Benin history, the victory of Oba Esigie over the Igala kingdom in the early sixteenth century. On the way to battle, Esigie and his army met the "bird of prophecy," which predicted disaster for Benin. Rather than submit to this fate, Esigie ordered the bird killed and went on to defeat his enemy. Ivory clappers depict the king and the queen mother; the latter is said to have used her vast spiritual powers to help her son prevail. Such instruments are played by chiefs at an annual palace festival celebrating Esigie's triumph.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Idiophone with an iyọ́bà
  • Artist: Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
  • Date: 18th–19th century
  • Geography: Nigeria, Court of Benin
  • Culture: Edo peoples
  • Medium: Ivory
  • Dimensions: H. 12 1/4 in. × W. 2 in. × D. 1 3/4 in. (31.1 × 5.1 × 4.5 cm)
  • Classification: Bone/Ivory-Musical Instruments
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1991
  • Object Number: 1991.17.88
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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Altar Tusk, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, Edo peoples
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Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
ca. 1712–50
Pair of chiefly bracelets with Portuguese and Edo figures, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, wood or coconut-shell inlay, Edo peoples
Pair of chiefly bracelets with Portuguese and Edo figures
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
1815–97
Altar Tusk, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, Edo peoples
Altar Tusk
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
1888–97
Pair of chiefly bracelets with Portuguese and Edo figures, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, wood or coconut-shell inlay, Edo peoples
Pair of chiefly bracelets with Portuguese and Edo figures
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
1815–97
Female figure, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, metal, Edo peoples
Female figure
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
18th century

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