Collection online

figure

• Object type

  • figure

• Museum number

  Af1897,1217.2

• Description

  Commemorative head of an oba (king) made of cast brass. Depicted with representations of coral bead regalia in the form of a deep collar, openwork cap, strings of beads at sides and a large bead in the centre of the forehead. The eyes are inlaid with iron.

• Ethnic name

  • Made by Edo

• Date

  • 1550-1650

• Production place

  • Made in: Benin City
  • (Africa,Nigeria,Edo State,Benin City)

• Findspot

  • Found/Acquired: Benin City
  • (Africa,Nigeria,Edo State,Benin City)

• Materials

  • iron
  • brass

• Technique

  • inlaid
  • lost-wax cast

• Dimensions

  • Height: 28 centimetres
  • Width: 21 centimetres
  • Depth: 20 centimetres

• Curator's comments

  Read & Dalton 1899:
  "Pedestal in form of a human head, with a circular hole at the top, and cap of beadwork on the front of which are larger beads, while bead pendants hang from the sides. The chin is covered by a high bead collar, as Af1897,1217.1. On each eyebrow are three cicatrices, and the pupils of the eyes are of iron."

  More 

• Bibliography

  • Read & Dalton 1899 pl IX.6

• Location

  On display: G25/dc6

• Exhibition history

  Exhibited:
  1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa
  1991 Feb-Apr, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Man and Metal in Ancient Nigeria
  1993-1997, London, Museum of Mankind, Great Benin: a West African Kingdom

• Acquisition name

  • Purchased from: Henry Ling Roth

• Acquisition date

  1897

• Acquisition notes

  Acquired during the Benin Puntive Expedition in 1897.

• Department

  Africa, Oceania & the Americas

• Registration number

  Af1897,1217.2