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Memorial head

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The few surviving commemorative heads from Udo, which probably date from the 16th and 17th centuries, show an independent style compared to the commemorative heads from Benin, and the use of brass and the necklaces made of coral beads indicate the high rank of the sitters. According to oral tradition, Udo, a town about 65 kilometres from Benin City, was conquered by King Ozolua at the end of the 15th century and remained dependent on Benin. Ozolua initially installed one of his sons as ruler of Udo. When Esigie, also a son of Ozolua, was crowned his successor, there were disputes between the brothers over the succession to the throne. Esigie had Udo destroyed in a military operation and decreed that no member of the royal family should rule Udo in future, only a dignitary who was dependent on the king of Benin.

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Ethnologisches Museum Show original at data provider

Cataloguing data

Object type
Plastic
Dimensions
Allgemein: ca. 22,00 x 15,00 x 17,00 cm
Weight: 4,4 kg
Material/Technique
Brass
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 12508
Related object(s)

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    where
    Benin [kingdom]
  • Production
    when
    16th century-17th century.
    where
    Nigeria
    Benin
    Udo
    who
    Weisbach, Valentin
  • Collecting
    who
    J.C. Stevens - Former Possessors
  • Change of legal title:
    Acquisition
    Description
    Possibly 16th - 17th cent, commissioned in the Udo Kingdom; probably acquired by the Obas of Benin by conquest or as tribute from the Udo Kingdom during or after the reign of Oba Esigie (ca. 1504 - 1550); probably looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; in unknown possession after the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin; acquired by the Museum für Völkerkunde Berlin from J.C. Stevens (Stevens' Auction Rooms Ltd., London), 1899.
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    Africa

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

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