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Head of a king

Belt masks cast from brass were worn by high-ranking members of palace society. While scholars consider these masks to be depictions of the king due to their rich decoration with coral beads, in Benin they are regarded as images of a defeated rebel dignitary.

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data

Object type
Belt mask (Hip mask)
Dimensions
Höhe x Breite x Tiefe: 17,3 x 10,4 x 5 cm
Gewicht: < 2 kg
Material/Technique
Brass
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 7662 a

Provenance and sources

where
Benin [kingdom]

when
18th century-19th century.
where
Nigeria [Land]

who
Hale & Son - Former Possessors

Description
18th century to 19th century, commissioned in the Kingdom of Benin; ownership before 1897 currently unknown; probably looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; auctioned by the firm of Hale & Son, 1897; purchased by the Royal Museum of Ethnology, 1897.

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