Photographer: Jörg von Bruchhausen | Rights management: Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalPhotographer: | Rights management: Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 International
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.
Cataloguing data
Wandstärke: ca. 5 mm
Height: 23,5 cm
Depth: 17 cm
Width: 15 cm