Osun altar head | Photographer: Martin Franken
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Osun altar head
The head shows the king's dangerous occult abilities, which are based on Osun, the power that comes from the forces of the plants in the forest. Snakes crawl out of his nose to destroy his enemies. The birds on his head are the dangerous nocturnal witch birds. The stone blades on his forehead symbolise the power of the god of death.
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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data
Object type
Plastic
Dimensions
Objektmaß: 26,5 x 14,5 x 18 cm
Gewicht: 2,5 kg
Gewicht: 2,5 kg
Material/Technique
Brass
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 10878
Provenance and sources
where
Benin [kingdom]
when
18th century-19th century.
where
Nigeria [Land]
Benin [Königreich]
Description
18th century - 19th century, commissioned work of the Igun Eronmwon or Guild of Brass Casters in the Kingdom of Benin; location unknown in the Kingdom of Benin before 1897; probably looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; in unknown possession after the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin; purchased at auction by Hans Meyer at Stevens' Auction Rooms Ltd, London, 1899; loaned by Hans Meyer to the Königliches Museum für Völkerkunde Berlin; purchased by the museum, ca. 1900.
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