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Cord with coral beads

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Alongside brass, coral was one of the most highly valued imported goods in Benin. Coral was the most important material for the royal regalia, which in Benin's imagination were gifts from the sea god Olokun. During public appearances, the king not only wore a cap and countless necklaces made of coral beads, but his robes were also strewn with coral beads. As a sign of their status, high dignitaries were also given the privilege of wearing coral beads by the king.

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum Show original at data provider

Cataloguing data

Object type
Cord with coral beads
Dimensions
Weight: 0,1 kg
Height: 0,5 cm
Width: 12 cm
Depth: 10 cm
Length: 34,5 cm
Width: 0,5 cm
Depth: 0,5 cm
Material/Technique
Corals, Cord
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 21929

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    where
    Benin [kingdom]
  • Production
    when
    18th century - 19th century
    where
    Nigeria
    Benin
  • Collecting
    who
    Max von Stefenelli - Collectors
  • Change of legal title:
    Acquisition
    Description
    18th century - 19th century, commissioned work in the Kingdom of Benin; in the possession of Oba Ovonramwen's circle in exile until ca. 1908; acquired by Max von Stefenelli around 1908; donated by M. von Stefenelli to the Königliches Museum für Völkerkunde Berlin, 1908.
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    Africa

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

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