Catalogue
Accession Number
1995.120
Institution
Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
Edo designations
English designations
Horn or Flute
Categories
Musical Instruments
Location
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208, United States
112_1995120
112_1995120
112_1995120
112_1995120
112_1995120
112_1995120

Iconographies

1 annotations
alligator
Ẹghughu
Crocodile

In the riverine area surrounding Benin City, there are two types of crocodile. The Ẹghughu, known in English as the dwarf or bush crocodile, is believed to be more docile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 133). The second type is the Àgbákà, the aggressive Nile crocodile ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 11).

Crocodiles are one of the important animals represented in the historical Emwin Arhe, and they are known as Olokun’s guards or the “policemen” of the waters. The powerful and ferocious qualities of these animals might explain why warrior figures are often depicted wearing Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ (pendant masks) in the shape of crocodile heads on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques) ( ). Olokun devotees use crocodiles as sacrificial animals in offerings during the worship of Olokun.

1 annotation
Ẹghughu

Provenance

4 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igbesamwan guild in Benin City.
Looted
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to June 1899 (year approximate)
The object was looted by February 1897 Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin from Benin Kingdom.
Unknown
1970s to 1995
The object is known to have come into contact with Edith Morgan & Harrison Eiteljorg, later in Indianapolis.
Donation
1995
The object was donated by Edith Morgan & Harrison Eiteljorg to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in Indianapolis.

Institution data

Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-04-17
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Accession Number
object id
1995.120
Previous Number(s)
object id
Title
designation
side blown trumpet
Object Label
description
Materials
material
Medium
material
Dimensions
dimensions
13-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 2 in.
Object Type
object type
Date Created
date made
before 1897
Creation Location
production place
Nigeria
Credit Line
prior source
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Provenance
provenance
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg, Indianapolis, Indiana; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in 1995.
Culture or People
ethnic attribution
Edo people
Accession Date
accession date
Exhbitions
exhibition history
Rights
license
Public Domain
URL
weblink
http://collection.imamuseum.org/artwork/20326/
Number of Parts
1
Support
Sensitive Content

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