This is a Yoruba beaded headdress featuring 15 birds and 2 faces front and back.  The beads are white, blue and yellow.  It measures 20" high and 10" in diameter and is in very good condition.

Yoruba beaded crowns were the principal symbol of royal authority and worn by the king and his courtiers. The most important of the King's regalia, and is worn at all important occasions. The bird is Okin, the royal bird, and represents the female elders and their procreative powers. The faces represent Oduduwa, the ancestor of all crowned Kings, or Obakufon, the god that created beads. Traditionally, kings wear these crowns low, covering their face, to representing the king as an embodiment of the connection between past and present.

The Yoruba people live in southwestern and north central Nigeria. Their religious beliefs are part of Itan, the total complex of songs, histories, stories and other culture concepts which make up their society.

Dimensions: 10" width x 10" depth x 20" height

With veil: 10" width x 10" depth x 35" height

Condition: Great, wear consistent with age.