The sacred cone-like beaded crown, such as the one at the Snite Museum, was worn infrequently and only during solemn occasions. Most importantly it was a crown for coronation, but it was also worn when the ruler was performing important state functions during sacred festivals or while granting titles. When it was not on the head of a ruler, the Adenla was treated as living spiritual being and kept in a sacred shrine. If necessary, the crown could even sit on the royal throne as a stand-in for the ruler.

from Morton, Dimensions of Power (South Bend, 2018)