Final answer:
The pendant mask representing Iyoba (Queen Mother) is called Idia, a significant artifact from the 16th-century Edo peoples of the Court of Benin. Made of ivory, iron, and copper, it symbolized the queen mother's status and her role in the protection of the kingdom.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pendant mask representing Iyoba (Queen Mother) is called Idia. These intricate sculptures were created during the 16th century by the Edo peoples of the Court of Benin, Nigeria. They were often made of ivory, iron, and copper, showcasing the high craftsmanship skills of the Edo people. The Queen Mother, or Iyoba, played a significant role in the kingdom and was often venerated through these masks which served both as regalia and as tributes to the queen mothers, symbolizing their protection and well-being of the Oba (king) and the kingdom at large.
One notable example, housed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, measures 23.8 x 12.7 x 8.3 cm and depicts the face of the mother of the king, adorned with representations of mudfish and other symbolic ornaments. The use of ivory suggests purity, and the detailed metal inlays and carvings denote the queen mother's exalted status. Additionally, the religious and ceremonial life of the Benin kingdom frequently featured the use of these masks, among other elaborate artifacts, to signify the wearer's loyalty to the king and to demonstrate his power and connection to both the divine and the earthly realms.