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Factory printed cloth

Object Details

Description
Cotton factory printed cloth designed with a centrally positioned white oval bearing a photographic view of the reigning Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II (3/4 torso view), against a red background with repeat designs of small gold circles, each ornamented with a red double crossed sword motif. The king is shown with hands clasped and wearing sunglasses, a white robe, and red coral bead crown and necklaces. An inscription along the outer edge of the oval reads: HRN CROWN PRINCE (AMB.) E. EREDIAUWA EDAIKEN N’USELU * AS THE OBA OF BENIN , 2016*. His coronation date was 20 October 2016. The selvage inscription reads NICHEM VIP 02319. Green tape printed with the word FESTAC WAX secures the edges of the textile’s folds.
Provenance
Jean M. Borgatti, Shrewsbury, MA, acquired from the Royal Palace, Nigeria, 2016-2017
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Maker
United Nigerian Textiles Limited, Nigeria
Date
2016
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Medium
Cotton, synthetic dye
Dimensions
H x W: 112 × 259.7cm (44 1/8 × 102 1/4in.)
Type
Textile and Fiber Arts
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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