Accession Number
1995.130
Edo designations
English designations
Altar of the Hand
Categories
Altar & Shrine Objects
Location
4000 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46208, United States
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Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand
Altar of the Hand

Iconographies

4 annotations
Ubanu'hi / Obanu'hi
Ubanu'hi / Obanu'hi
Inifinity Symbol

The Ubanu'hi (infinity symbol) is a kind of guilloche or interlaced strapwork motif that can be angular or rounded. It was used by Edo artists in the decoration of many Emwin Arhe (royal treasures) and is ubiquitous in Benin royal arts. Ubanu'hi is a shortened form of “uba no Ọba ya de agbon ke ehimwin yi”, which means “the rope with which the Ọba ties the heaven and earth together” (pers. comm. Chief John Igbineweka Inneh n’Igbesawman, 2022). Similarly, Paula Ben-Amos Girshick (in Plankensteiner 2007, pp. 339, 341) described this as “Ọba n’iri agbon”, or the “rope of the world” pattern.

According to Ọbabanmu Ineh (in Blackmun 1984, p. 51), the use of this motif indicates that objects were carved by members of the Igbesanmwan. However, the motif is found on all types of Emwin Arhe (royal treasures), not only those made of ivory or wood. On the flanges of the Ama (relief plaques) alone, Kathryn Gunsch (2018, pp. 75–77) identified three different versions of the Ubanu'hi and, through her analysis of over 850 plaques, found that these different Ubanu'hi forms align with other characteristics, such as dimensions, the prevalence of ornamental motifs, and stylistic qualities. Together, these provide evidence, she argues, of different production groups among the plaque makers .

Kate Ezra (1992, pp. 209, 264) went on to argue that the use of these motifs indicates that certain objects were used in a “royal context” and were associated with “royal patronage”.

2 annotations
Ubanu'hi / Obanu'hi
Ubanu'hi / Obanu'hi
Asoro
Spears

Asoro (spears) were used as weapons in battle and for hunting ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 37). According to , there were two types: long and short. Figures holding Asoro are often depicted on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), sometimes in battle scenes and at ceremonies and festivals.

1 annotation
Asoro
Agbada
Sword

Agbada is a type of short sword with a double-edged blade, used by warriors in hand-to-hand combat ( ; ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 10). Warrior figures carrying Agbada are often depicted on the Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), both in scenes of combat and in ceremonial contexts.

1 annotation
Agbada

Provenance

4 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (year 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
1995.130
Previous Number(s)
object id
TR8477/16
Title
designation
altar of the hand
Object Label
description
Within the Benin Kingdom, a man can establish an 'altar to his hand,' a representation of personal achievement.  The object is missing its separately carved base.  Unlike this example, royal 'altars of the hand' of the Benin Kingdom court were made of cast brass.  Royal altars probably served as models for the more common wooden types. The upper projection once held a tusk or a horn.  The images refer to the importance of the altar's owner, the central figure with a sword of authority in his right hand.  Gunpowder flasks appear at his sides.  His left hand is supported by an attendant holding a spear.  Additional images found on this object are two other subordinates, two severed enemy heads and a horse.
Materials
material
wood
Medium
material
Dimensions
dimensions
13-1/4 x 7-1/2 x 7-1/4 in.
Object Type
object type
altars
Date Created
date made
20th century
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
Benin Kingdom, Edo people
Accession Date
accession date
1995-12-21
Exhbitions
exhibition history
Rights
license
No Known Rights Holder
URL
weblink
http://collection.imamuseum.org/artwork/29445/
Number of Parts
1
Support
wood
Sensitive Content

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