Details

The Adunni x SOA Idia Bar Earrings are made from 18K micron rhodium plated brass, designed in Toronto and handcrafted in India.

Cascading to a jaw-grazing length, their dramatic silhouette will frame your face beautifully. Lightweight considering the generous size, so you can wear them easily all day or night.

The earrings feature a shoulder sweeping bar and an etched and hammered stylized Idia mask
Butterfly fastening for pierced ears
Composition: Micron plated brass with hypo-allergenic sterling silver post

Story

Featuring a stylized, modern take on the commemorative masks of the iyobas - specifically of Queen Idia. These earrings celebrate the courageous Iyoba Idia who hailed from the Kingdom of Benin during the 16th century (now in modern day Nigeria).

This style is based on the pendant mask of Queen Idia - originally rendered in ivory featuring a serene face of the Queen Mother wearing a beaded headdress, a beaded choker at her neck, scarification highlighted by iron inlay on the forehead, and all framed by the flange of an openwork tiara and collar of symbolic beings, as well as double loops at each side for attachment of the pendant.

Most famously recognised since FESTAC 77, a major pan-African cultural festival held in 1977, which used a replica of the mask crafted by Erhabor Emokpae as a core part of the events branding.

History

In the Benin kingdom, the iyoba, or mother of the oba (king), occupies an important and historically significant place in Benin's feudal hierarchy. The title was first conferred upon Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie, who used her political skill to save her son's kingdom from disintegration in the late fifteenth century. Ever since then, queen mother became a title in and of itself and regarded as a symbol of protection of their sons, the Obas and, by extension, the kingdom itself.

This collection, with its traditional symbols and modern interpretation of historical themes , invites you to explore and discover the culture of the Bini kingdom, one of the most powerful and advanced pre-colonial kingdoms in the world

About the Brand

Symbols of Authority is a brand focused on jewelry & objets d'art inspired by antiquity, mythology, contemporary art and ancient monarchies. The line, which boasts a large range of global, ethical & fair trade manufactured earrings, necklaces, hair accessories and homeware for the modern woman. Diversity in design, quality and affordability are what make the line so coveted. The #SOASIREN is unapologetically bold, whether it's at a party, out with friends or in the boardroom.