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Container in the shape of a building of the Palace of Benin

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The exact function of this container is not known. However, its shape, a building that is said to be the king's assembly hall, is an important source for the architecture of the royal palace. The roof is surmounted by a high tower. A snake winds its way down from its top to the edge of the roof. It belongs to the world of the sea god Olokuns, from whom Benin's power and wealth are said to come. On the top of the tower and on one side of the roof ridge are large bird figures with outstretched wings. Two soldiers, probably Portuguese, are pointing their rifles at them. This scene refers to the story of King Esigie and his victory over the ruler Attah of Idah at the beginning of the 16th century: a bird had prophesied Esigie's defeat, whereupon the king had the bird shot and won the battle. Portuguese mercenaries supported Esigie's military expansion. Like the snakes, the Edo categorised the Portuguese as belonging to the realm of the sea god. The palace container thus not only commemorates a specific historical event, but is also an image of the importance of the sea god for the power of the king of Benin.

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Cataloguing data

Object type
Container
Dimensions
Height: 31,1 cm
Depth: 14,8 cm
Width: 59,9 cm
Weight: 16,55 kg
Material/Technique
Brass, copper alloy
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 8488

Provenance and sources

  • Production
    where
    Benin [kingdom]
  • Production
    when
    17th century - 18th century
    where
    Nigeria
  • Collecting
    who
    Heinrich Bey - Collectors
  • Change of legal title:
    Acquisition
    Description
    17th century - 18th century, commissioned by the Igun Eronmwon or guild of brass casters in the Kingdom of Benin; probably in the Oba's palace until 1897; looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; in unknown possession after the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin; collected on behalf of the Bey & Co. company, between 1897 and 1898 in the territory of later colonial Nigeria; sold to the Königliches Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin, 1899.
  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    Africa

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

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