Oba Coral Regalia — Court Necklace Assembly, 16th century — Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde Leiden

Royal coral bead assemblage from the court of the Oba of Benin, 16th–17th century. Coral beads (iyun) are the paramount status material in the Kingdom of Benin royal system — only the Oba could wear full coral sets, received as a divine gift from Olokun (god of the sea). Multiple coral regalia pieces were seized in 1897 and dispersed to European institutions including the Dutch Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde (Leiden), which holds Benin objects acquired via the post-expedition market.