Head of a king | Photographer: Claudia Obrocki
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Head of a king
Ivory masks of this type are very rare. Whether they depict a king or the queen mother is uncertain. The crown of coral beads allows both interpretations. A chain of stylised catfish runs around the base of the neck. This ivory mask was probably only worn by the king as protection. This could be reinforced by placing medicine in a pouch on the inside of the mask.
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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data
Object type
Belt mask
Dimensions
Objektmaß: 17,5 x 8,5 x 6 cm
Material/Technique
Ivory
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 26373
Provenance and sources
where
Benin [kingdom]
when
18th cent.
where
Nigeria [Land]
Benin [Königreich]
who
William Downing Webster (1868-05-11 - 1913-01-14) - Former Possessors
Description
Commissioned from the Igun Eronmwon brass foundry guild in the Kingdom of Benin in the 18th century; probably looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; in unknown possession after Feb. 1897; collected by William J. Ansorge in Nigeria before 1905; auctioned by J.C. Stevens, 1909; acquired by William D. Webster, 1910.
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