Head of a Ram Pendant

CultureOwo Kingdom

Date15th-17th century

MediumBrass

DimensionsOverall: 7 × 7 13/16 × 2 1/2 inches (17.78 × 19.84 × 6.35 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund

Object number2005.3

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

African Art

Terms

DescriptionThe pendant (omama) is cast in the form of a ram's head, decorated between the horns with braids, a string of braids and two medallions. A fringed band lies across the animal's forehead, and perpendicular to this is a textured strap running down the muzzle secured by a medallion at the forehead. The ram's horns are incised to emulate growth rings and each is tipped with the semblance of a small, circular bell. The ram's ears are incised with v-shaped parallel lines emanating from the middle axis. The head below the ears and horns appears hooded except for the stylized eyes, teeth, and nostrils. A greenish patina is particularly evident on the heavily textured upper portion of the pendant.Exhibition History

Exhibition History

África: Magia y poder, 2500 años de arte en Nigeria, Centre Cultural de la Fundación “la Caixa,” Barcelona, September 23-December 13, 1998; Sala de exposiciones de la Fundación “la Caixa,” Madrid, January 20-March 28, 1999; Sala de exposiciones de Santa Inés, Sevilla, April 15-May 30, 1999, no. 187.

Gallery Label

This ram's-head pendant, which was created using the lost-wax brass casting technique widely practiced in Africa for centuries, displays a remarkable degree of intricate, sophisticated surface design. The ram, an animal with a reputation for aggression and bravery, is an important symbol of courage, military prowess and leadership throughout southern Nigeria. The pendant is attributed to Owo, a Yoruba kingdom historically linked to the Edo kingdom of Benin. In Owo, royal pendants are worn in pairs, in front and in back, over the scalloped red orufanran costume worn by Owo kings and certain titled military chiefs.

Provenance

Private collection, France [1];

With Monbrison Gallery, Paris, after 1971 [2];

Purchased from Monbrison Gallery by an unknown private collector, Celerina, Switzerland [3];

Private collection, Milan, by September 23, 1998 [4];

With L & R Entwistle & Co, Ltd, London, by March 2005;

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 2005.

NOTES:

[1] According to L & R Entwistle & Co., Ltd., in documentation provided at the time of the object’s purchase, NAMA curatorial files. The identity of the collection is currently unknown.

[2] Ibid. The Monbrison Gallery was founded in 1971.

[3] According to L & R Entwistle & Co., Ltd., see note 1.

[4] The object was lent by a Milanese private collector to the exhibition África: Magia y poder, 2500 años de arte en Nigeria, Centre Cultural de la Fundación “la Caixa,” Barcelona, September 23-December 13, 1998, Sala de exposiciones de la Fundación “la Caixa,” Madrid, January 20-March 28, 1999, and Sala de exposiciones de Santa Inés, Sevilla, April 15-May 30, 1999. The identity of this collector is currently unknown.

Published References

África: Magia y poder, 2500 años de arte en Nigeria, exh. cat. (Barcelona: Fundación “la Caixa,” 1998), 180, 193, (repro.).

“New Acquisition,” Explore Art (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, July/August 2005), cover, (repro.).

Deborah Emont Scott, ed., The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: A Handbook of the Collection, 7th ed. (Kansas City, MO: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 2008), 244, (repro.).

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.