Collection online
figure
-
Object type
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
-
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
-
Technique
-
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." -
Bibliography
-
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
-
Acquisition date
1897
-
Acquisition notes
Acquired during the Benin Puntive Expedition in 1897.
-
Department
Africa, Oceania & the Americas
-
Registration number
Af1897,1217.2
Feedback
If you’ve noticed a mistake or have any further information about this object, please email: collectiondatabase@britishmuseum.org
View open data for this object with SPARQL endpoint
Object reference number: EAF14453
British Museum collection data is also available in the W3C open data standard, RDF, allowing it to join and relate to a growing body of linked data published by organisations around the world.
Support the Museum:
donate online
The Museum makes its collection database available to be used by scholars around the world. Donations will help support curatorial, documentation and digitisation projects.
About the database
The British Museum collection database is a work in progress. New records, updates and images are added every week.
Supporters
Work on this database is supported by a range of sponsors, donors and volunteers.
