English: Conical basketry frame, covered with beaded cloth. Bead colors: green, yellow, amber, red, orange, white, royal and navy blue, and aqua. Top of crown surrmounted by dettachable bird. Second tier has four standing human figures, third tier has two frontal faces, two equestrian figures, and two standing figures. Attached beaded flaps at rim, with geometric patterns. Open work veil with frontal face. CONDITION: Veil flap missing beads, as are equestrian figures, left standing figures, and second tier standing figures. Flaps and cloth framework frayed. Cinical basketry frame, covered by stiffened cloth base and embroidered with green, amber, yellow, red, orange, white, royal blue, aqua, and navy blue beads. Top of crown surrmounted by dettachable bird. Second tier of crown has four standing figures. Third tier has two frontal faces, two equestrian figures, two standing figures. Thress attached beaded flaps at rim, decorated with geometric designs. Forth flap, a veil, is open work with frontal face. CONDITION: Veil flap missing beads wherejoins crown proper. Beads missing from equestrian, left standing figure, and four figures of second tier. Flaps and cloth framework is frayed
English: The ultimate symbol of Yoruba kingship is the bead-embroidered crown. All crowns are surmounted by an okin, the royal bird, and represent the face of Oduduwa, the creator-god who became the first king of Ife, the ancient Yoruba capital. The two horsemen and attendant figures symbolize the king's status and, quite likely, his military prowess. The beaded veil that covers the face of the wearer depersonalizes the oba, emphasizing his office, while protecting onlookers from the danger of casting their eyes directly on the awesome radiance of a divine king.