Asen of Aihade Aguidigbadja

Place CreatedAbomey, Benin, Africa

CultureFon

MediumBrass

Credit LineGift of Dr. Edna Bay

Dimensions34 x 10 x 10 in. (86.4 x 25.4 x 25.4 cm)

Object number2011.038.003

Label TextThis Asen was collected in the field by Fon scholar Dr. Edna Bay, which affords the object excellent provenance and specific information concerning its meaning and history. It was commissioned in honor of Aihade Aguidigbadja, whose name appears on the plaque in front of a figure holding scissors which represents Aihade, a cloth seller by trade (he is flanked by cloth hanging from a display stand). He is surrounded by symbols that refer to Fon proverbs. The bird on a stalk of millet prompts the saying: "If only one bird remains, he will find a field of millet and eat", suggesting that even if only one child remains, he or she will do everything necessary to properly honor a dead parent. Another element of this tableau is the kpanzon, a wooden column with a bifurcated capital that acts as a guardian spirit for a household.
Exhibition HistoryDivine Intervention: African Art and Religion, Michael C. Carlos Museum, February 5 - December 4, 2011
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, March 29, 2013 - December 1, 2014
Published ReferencesMCCM Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2012.

ProvenanceEx coll. Edna Bay, United States, purchased from Hountondji smiths, palace workshop of Abomey, Benin, 1984.

Status

Not on view

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