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Memorial head of a king
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After the death of a king (oba), an altar was erected for him in a closed courtyard of the palace. One of the most important objects on these altars were brass-cast memorial heads of the deceased. Extensive rituals and regular sacrifices at this altar by the successor confirmed his relationship with the royal ancestors and strengthened his spiritual power. This example of a 17th century memorial head shows the king with regalia made of coral beads: a cap-like crown and a high collar made of coral chains.

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Data Provider
Ethnologisches Museum
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Cataloguing data

Object type
Plastic
Dimensions
Wandstärke: 0,7 cm
Gewicht: 8,2 kg
Objektmaß: 0,34 x 24 x 26 cm
Durchmesser: 22 cm
Material/Technique
Brass, Iron
Current location
Ethnologisches Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Inventory number
III C 8177

Provenance and sources

where
Benin [kingdom]

when
17th century - 18th century
where
Nigeria [Land]

who
Eduard Schmidt - Collectors

Description
17th century - 18th century, Commissioned by the Igun Eronmwon or guild of brass casters in the Kingdom of Benin for a royal memorial altar; given by inheritance to Oba Ovonramwen (ca. 1857-1914; r. 1888-97), Royal Palace, Benin City; probably looted in connection with the British conquest of Benin, 1897; in unknown possession after the conquest of the Kingdom of Benin; collected by Consul Eduard Schmidt, employee of the Woermann line, between 1897 and 1898 in the territory of later colonial Nigeria; sold to the Königliches Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin, 1898.

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Legal status metadata
CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED
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