recordNumber
1115633
Institution
Field Museum
Edo designations
English designations
Stool
Categories
Ceremonial Objects
Location
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
Loading...
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool
Stool

Iconographies

12 annotations
Ekpede
Crossbow

In addition to the Uhanbọ, the Ekpede was also used by warriors in Benin and is likewise said to have been created by Ake, the deity of archery. Because the Ekpede could fire heavier arrows, it was an important weapon in warfare before the introduction of firearms by Portuguese traders. However, this interpretation has been disputed, with some scholars arguing that the crossbow was instead copied by the Edo from Portuguese examples. Furthermore, in depictions on the Emwin Arre (royal treasures), Edo warriors and hunters are shown using the Uhanbọ, while only Portuguese soldiers are depicted with the Ekpede .

2 annotations
Ekpede
Ekpede
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”.

1 annotation
Ubanu'hi / Obanu'hi
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
Ukpan obọ eva
Crossed Beaded Baldrics

The Ukpan obọ eva (coral-bead crossed baldrics) were worn as part of the ehaingbehia, the full ceremonial regalia, by only high-ranking members of the palace, including the Ọba himself, the Iy’Ọba, the Edaiken, and the Ezọmọ (Ben-Amos 1999, pp. 68, 141; Osadolor in Plankensteiner 2007, cat. no. 70, pp. 322–323).

1 annotation
Ukpan obọ eva
Iviawẹ
Stacked Beaded Anklet

Ọba gha ye Ivie gie ọwan, ẹ ghi tama rẹn ehe nọ gha bae yi (When the Ọba gifts you a bead, he doesn’t tell you how to wear it) (Daniel Inneh, pers. comm., 27 September 2025).

Iviawẹ (also spelled ĺvîowẹ) are coral-beaded anklets, often worn stacked together (Aigbe 1985, p. 28; Okpokunu, Agbontaen-Eghafona & Ojo 2005, p. 162; Ọbazee 2025, p. 279). Many of the figures depicted on the Emwin Arhe (royal treasures) in brass, bronze, ivory, and wood are shown wearing these. According to Daniel Inneh (pers. comm., 27 September 2025), beads were sent to people whom the Ọba wished to honour, although there was no directive on how to wear them.

Mostly, people who wear Iviawẹ are identified as palace chiefs or priests and priestesses. However, today anyone can wear them as cultural identifiers or fashion pieces.

2 annotations
Iviawẹ
Iviawẹ
Colar Bead
Odigba
Coral beaded collar

Odigba (coral-beaded collar) is a rigid neck collar made of coral beads, worn as part of ceremonial attire only by senior princes who have been made Enigie (Inneh 2007, p. 107). Although Ibafe (2007, p. 43) argued that the Odigba was introduced during the Ogiso period (c. 900–c. 1170 AD) by Ogiso Ere, along with other symbolically important Emwin Arhe, such as the Ada (ceremonial sword) and the Ẹbẹn (ceremonial sword), this seems unlikely, as coral was only introduced in the late 15th century through trade with Portuguese merchants.

1 annotation
Odigba
Ẹbẹn
Ceremonial Sword

Ẹbẹn are a type of ceremonial sword of significant importance in the Benin Kingdom. During ceremonies, titled chiefs would hold them or toss them during dances, thereby paying homage to the Ọba at these public events, particularly when a chief receives a certain status. It is forbidden for Ẹbẹn to touch the ground, so the chief must take extra precautions to avoid dropping the Ẹbẹn during the dance. Therefore, the Okae-Odionmwan (head of executioners) dances with the Umozo (warfare or executioner’s sword) behind the dancing chief.

There are two central ceremonial swords used in the royal court of the Benin Kingdom, one of which is the Ẹbẹn, along with the Ada (ceremonial swords). They are distinguished by their blades: the Ẹbẹn blade reflects the shape of a leaf or an oar. Sometimes, it is decorated with openwork designs and/or brass inlays, most commonly shaped as small Ẹbẹn and Ẹkpẹn (leopards). The handle of the Ẹbẹn also has an unusual ring-shaped form, which further differentiates it from the Ada.

2 annotations
Ẹbẹn
Ẹbẹn
Ẹroro
Bell

Ẹroro (bells) frequently appear as ornaments worn by figures depicted on the Emwin Arhe, particularly on Ama-Eronmwon (bronze relief plaques) and Aken’ni Elao (carved tusks). These Ẹroro are most commonly quadrangular in form or, less commonly, cylindrical with rounded tops. Quadrangular Ẹroro worn around the neck are often part of the attire that indicates that figures can be interpreted as warriors, alongside the Akọn Ẹkpẹn (leopard tooth neck ornament) and the Ohian Ẹkpẹn (leopard tunics).

1 annotation
Ẹroro
Ukhurhẹ
Ancestral Staff

Representations of figures, often the Ọba, with an Ukhurhẹ (Ancestral Staff) in their right hand recur in a number of Emwin Arre (royal treasures), particularly those carved in wood as Agba (royal stools), cast in brass as part of Osogan (Osun staffs) and Ikẹgobọ (altars to the hand), and carved in ivory as Aken'ni Elao (carved tusks).

Ukhurhẹ are rattle staffs, usually made from wood, although brass examples are believed to have been owned by the Ọba. Ukhurhẹ were, and continue to be, commissioned when the paternal head of a family passes away as a way of commemorating them ( ). Following a ceremony in which they are installed on the family’s ancestral altar, Ukhurhẹ are typically lined up against the back of the altar and are used to communicate with ancestors and the spirit world. When depicted on the Emwin Arhe, Ukhurhẹ are usually held in the right hand of the Ọba, while an Ughavan (celts) is carried in his left hand.

1 annotation
Ukhurhẹ

Provenance

6 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Emada 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
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1903
The object is known to have come into contact with William John Ansorge.
Auction
November 30, 1909
The object was auctioned to Alfred Walter Francis Fuller by William John Ansorge through Stevens Auction Rooms in London.
Inheritance
1961
The object was inherited by Estelle W. Fuller from Alfred Walter Francis Fuller in London.
Gift
1963
The object was given as a gift by Estelle W. Fuller to the Field Museum from London to Chicago.

Related archival documents

1 documents
See all
Date

Institution data

Field Museum
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-01-21
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
catalogNumber
object id
210375
occurrenceID
object id
57cda580-4820-4db6-9649-823f9f1bed4a
recordNumber
object id
1115633
culturalArtefactDescription/1/Full_Description
description
wooden stool; two figures, each standing on a leopard; one is an Oba and one is a chief; many other figures - see photo on back of catalog card; Dimensions: L (top) = 66.0 cm; 26"; W = 31.7 cm; 12 1/2"; Thickness = 2.9 cm; 1 1/8"; H = 36.2 cm; 14 1/4"
culturalArtefactDescription/1/null
description
culturalArtefactDescription/3/Full_Description
description
culturalArtefactDescription/3/Sub_Description
description
culturalArtefactDescription/4/null
description
materials
material
wood
culturalArtefactDescription/0/Basic_Description
object type
stool
culturalArtefactFunction
object type
culturalArtefactParts
object type
period
date made
culturalArtefactDescription/3/Technical_Description
production technique
culturalArtefactDescription/4/Technical_Description
production technique
locality
production place
Benin City
Accession info
prior source
[2815] Mrs. A. W. F. Fuller (Gift)
culturalAffiliation
ethnic attribution
Edo
dates/accession_year
accession date
1963
identifiers/Publication_number/0
bibliography
56
identifiers/Publication_number/1
bibliography
identifiers/Publication_number/2
bibliography
references/reference
bibliography
multimedia/0/citation
license
Courtesy of: R. Testa. (c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/03f05fef-b8df-4dd1-81b9-316b3170b290 (accessed on 27 Oct 2021)
multimedia/1/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/ef948464-4e3b-4ad7-8867-26ad3f476312 (accessed on 27 Oct 2021)
multimedia/10/citation
license
Courtesy of: A. Hercules, C. J. Philipp, J. W. Kennedy. (c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/68af156f-f335-441f-b480-d46b931ab947 (accessed on 13 Jan 2022)
multimedia/11/citation
license
multimedia/12/citation
license
multimedia/13/citation
license
multimedia/14/citation
license
multimedia/15/citation
license
multimedia/16/citation
license
multimedia/17/citation
license
multimedia/18/citation
license
multimedia/19/citation
license
multimedia/2/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/605f50a2-4c90-42b1-bc48-8e83ddf90d7e (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/20/citation
license
multimedia/21/citation
license
multimedia/22/citation
license
multimedia/23/citation
license
multimedia/24/citation
license
multimedia/25/citation
license
multimedia/26/citation
license
multimedia/27/citation
license
multimedia/28/citation
license
multimedia/29/citation
license
multimedia/3/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/8e7ed29e-1030-4747-8ff8-eb6ef01e672a (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/30/citation
license
multimedia/31/citation
license
multimedia/32/citation
license
multimedia/33/citation
license
multimedia/34/citation
license
multimedia/4/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/9cb4c3e2-844d-4dd5-b124-88e37b334dca (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/5/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/5cdfb0d5-21cf-4140-861b-b10a94ba7539 (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/6/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/917c99c5-edd5-43e4-a68e-3a98ecdcd453 (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/7/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/75d013b6-3539-424d-a1b4-0519187f24ad (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/8/citation
license
(c) Field Museum of Natural History. CC BY-NC 4.0. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/68b6ed75-f490-437f-aa25-2c7dc5bc8553 (accessed on 14 Jun 2021)
multimedia/9/citation
license
Courtesy of: J. Balodimas. (c) Field Museum of Natural History. https://mm.fieldmuseum.org/f645e1a1-49c8-4858-beee-8224ddf039f8 (accessed on 26 Oct 2021)
Multimedia URLs
images
A108096c.jpg; A108096c.jpg; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseTopOverall.JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackAndTopFromAnAngle.JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontOverall.JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontAndTopFromAnAngle .JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackOverall.JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseLeftSideOverall.JPG; CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseRightSideOverall.JPG; GN87049_31.jpg; 210375CC.jpg
identifiers/Image_number/0
images
108096
identifiers/Image_number/1
images
108154 A-C
identifiers/Image_number/10
images
identifiers/Image_number/11
images
identifiers/Image_number/2
images
GN87049_31
identifiers/Image_number/3
images
identifiers/Image_number/4
images
identifiers/Image_number/5
images
identifiers/Image_number/6
images
identifiers/Image_number/7
images
identifiers/Image_number/8
images
identifiers/Image_number/9
images
multimedia/0/MulIdentifier/0
images
A108096c.jpg
multimedia/0/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/1565/237/A108096c.jpg
multimedia/0/identifier
images
03f05fef-b8df-4dd1-81b9-316b3170b290
multimedia/1/MulIdentifier/0
images
A108096c.jpg
multimedia/1/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/69/936/A108096c.jpg
multimedia/1/identifier
images
ef948464-4e3b-4ad7-8867-26ad3f476312
multimedia/10/MulIdentifier/0
images
210375CC.pdf
multimedia/10/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/359/806/210375CC.pdf
multimedia/10/identifier
images
68af156f-f335-441f-b480-d46b931ab947
multimedia/11/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/11/accessURI
images
multimedia/11/identifier
images
multimedia/12/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/12/accessURI
images
multimedia/12/identifier
images
multimedia/13/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/13/accessURI
images
multimedia/13/identifier
images
multimedia/14/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/14/accessURI
images
multimedia/14/identifier
images
multimedia/15/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/15/accessURI
images
multimedia/15/identifier
images
multimedia/16/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/16/accessURI
images
multimedia/16/identifier
images
multimedia/17/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/17/accessURI
images
multimedia/17/identifier
images
multimedia/18/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/18/accessURI
images
multimedia/18/identifier
images
multimedia/19/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/19/accessURI
images
multimedia/19/identifier
images
multimedia/2/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseTopOverall.JPG
multimedia/2/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/473/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseTopOverall.JPG
multimedia/2/identifier
images
605f50a2-4c90-42b1-bc48-8e83ddf90d7e
multimedia/20/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/20/MulIdentifier/1
images
multimedia/20/accessURI
images
multimedia/20/identifier
images
multimedia/21/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/21/accessURI
images
multimedia/21/identifier
images
multimedia/22/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/22/accessURI
images
multimedia/22/identifier
images
multimedia/23/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/23/accessURI
images
multimedia/23/identifier
images
multimedia/24/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/24/accessURI
images
multimedia/24/identifier
images
multimedia/25/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/25/accessURI
images
multimedia/25/identifier
images
multimedia/26/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/26/accessURI
images
multimedia/26/identifier
images
multimedia/27/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/27/accessURI
images
multimedia/27/identifier
images
multimedia/28/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/28/accessURI
images
multimedia/28/identifier
images
multimedia/29/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/29/accessURI
images
multimedia/29/identifier
images
multimedia/3/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackAndTopFromAnAngle.JPG
multimedia/3/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/481/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackAndTopFromAnAngle.JPG
multimedia/3/identifier
images
8e7ed29e-1030-4747-8ff8-eb6ef01e672a
multimedia/30/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/30/accessURI
images
multimedia/30/identifier
images
multimedia/31/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/31/accessURI
images
multimedia/31/identifier
images
multimedia/32/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/32/accessURI
images
multimedia/32/identifier
images
multimedia/33/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/33/accessURI
images
multimedia/33/identifier
images
multimedia/34/MulIdentifier/0
images
multimedia/34/accessURI
images
multimedia/34/identifier
images
multimedia/4/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontOverall.JPG
multimedia/4/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/478/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontOverall.JPG
multimedia/4/identifier
images
9cb4c3e2-844d-4dd5-b124-88e37b334dca
multimedia/5/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontAndTopFromAnAngle .JPG
multimedia/5/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/479/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseFrontAndTopFromAnAngle .JPG
multimedia/5/identifier
images
5cdfb0d5-21cf-4140-861b-b10a94ba7539
multimedia/6/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackOverall.JPG
multimedia/6/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/480/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseBackOverall.JPG
multimedia/6/identifier
images
917c99c5-edd5-43e4-a68e-3a98ecdcd453
multimedia/7/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseLeftSideOverall.JPG
multimedia/7/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/477/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseLeftSideOverall.JPG
multimedia/7/identifier
images
75d013b6-3539-424d-a1b4-0519187f24ad
multimedia/8/MulIdentifier/0
images
CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseRightSideOverall.JPG
multimedia/8/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/908/474/CN0000_210375_AfterTakenOutOfCaseRightSideOverall.JPG
multimedia/8/identifier
images
68b6ed75-f490-437f-aa25-2c7dc5bc8553
multimedia/9/MulIdentifier/0
images
GN87049_31.jpg
multimedia/9/accessURI
images
http://fm-digital-assets.fieldmuseum.org/2040/208/GN87049_31.jpg
multimedia/9/identifier
images
f645e1a1-49c8-4858-beee-8224ddf039f8
identifiers/Collector_number/0
identifiers/Collector_number/1
identifiers/Collector_number_number
identifiers/Donor_number/0
R. 1/24
identifiers/Donor_number/1
304
identifiers/Fieldwork_number
identifiers/Inventory_number/0
identifiers/Inventory_number/1
identifiers/Other_museum_X27_s_number
identifiers/Other_number/0
identifiers/Other_number/1
identifiers/Tracking_number/0
identifiers/Tracking_number/1
identifiers/Tracking_number/2
identifiers/Tracking_number/3
identifiers/Tracking_number/4
identifiers/Tracking_number/5
identifiers/Tracking_number/6
identifiers/accession_number
2815
identifiers/null
identifiers/objectID
210375.nosub[1]
locationID
400853
recordedBy
Collector
references/referenceID
resourcerelationship/1/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/2/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/2/relationshipRemarks
resourcerelationship/3/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/3/relationshipRemarks
resourcerelationship/4/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/4/relationshipRemarks
resourcerelationship/5/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/5/relationshipRemarks
resourcerelationship/6/relatedResourceID
resourcerelationship/6/relationshipRemarks
Sensitive Content

Digital Benin collates digital material from institutions, and some of this material is inherently colonial and contains words, terms and phrases that are inaccurate, derogatory and harmful towards African and African diasporic communities. Catalogue transcriptions, book titles, exhibition titles and museum titles may contain harmful terms. We recognise the potential for the material to cause physical and mental distress as well as evoke strong emotions. Owing to the scale of the collection’s data, a process to implement sensitive-content warnings in the displayed data is still incomplete. The material within the catalogue does not represent Digital Benin’s views. Digital Benin maintains a strong anti-colonial, anti-racist position and affirms its support for centring the humanity of historically marginalised and disenfranchised communities. Read more about the background of this statement here