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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Ceremonial Ring
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Ceremonial Ring

Date16th century
Mediumbronze
DimensionsOverall: 10 5/8 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (27 x 26.7 x 5.7 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineMuseum purchase through 35th Anniversary Funds
Terms
    Object number85.0144
    DescriptionRings such as this were apparently used to display the head of a deceased ruler – either the actual head severed from the corpse or a cast-bronze replica of it. It is equally possible that the head could have been that of a victim sacrificed during the annual rites of purification and renewal of the king. Similar rites also attended the installation of a new king. Imagery on the ring suggests the Ogboni society, one of the most ancient Yoruba institutions. The function of Ogboni is to control or restrain the power of the king when such power is not used wisely.
    On View
    On view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    mid 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early to mid 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Chancay
    1200-1450
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    2nd to 3rd century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Wosera people
    late 19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    ca. 1930
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dogon people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Tumaco-La Tolita
    300 BCE-200 CE