altar tableau

Altar Tableau

Altar Tableau: Queen Mother and Attendants, 18th century
Nigeria; Edo peoples, court of Benin
Brass; H. 13 1/2 in. (34.29 cm)
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1991 (1991.17.111)

This altar tableau, also called an urhoto, depicts the queen mother and her attendants. These tableaus were made to be displayed on the altar of a deceased queen mother. It is made of brass and portrays many symbols of the queen’s power. Motifs like the elephant trunks and mudfish show the power of the queen as the animals are associated with strength and with the spirit world. Also, her attendants carry the ceremonial sword and staff, the queen mother’s insignia. The queen is larger in scale than her attendants, emphasizing her importance, and also wears a crown and shirt made of coral beads, which is significant because only royalty can wear such valuable clothing. There is also the symbol of hands depicted on the tableau, which is significant because in Benin culture, hands are a symbol of power. (1)