Reg No.
MEG ETHAF 021934
Edo designations
English designations
Altar Tusk
Categories
Altar & Shrine Objects
Location
Boulevard Carl-Vogt 65, 1205 Genève, Switzerland
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Altar Tusk
Altar Tusk
Altar Tusk

Iconographies

5 annotations
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
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
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
Ewi
Mudfish

Depictions of Ewi (mudfish) are among the most frequent motifs in the Emwin Arhe (royal treasures). Mudfish hold an important place in Edo belief, both as representations of the god Olokun and as symbols of royalty (Plankensteiner 2007, p. 410), as well as of “prosperity, peace, well-being and fertility” (Ben-Amos 1976, p. 245). Mudfish are also particularly common animals for sacrifice, and mudfish-shaped Orhiẹvbẹ (kola-nut boxes) were used to make offerings or store kola nuts.

Yet, the appearance of Ewi across the Emwin Arhe is not consistent, and it has been argued that different species of mudfish were depicted by Edo artists, each with different qualities and capabilities. For example, the electric shock of Malapterurus electricus resembles the fierceness of the Ọba, while the liminal qualities of the Synodontis clarias mudfish, which lives both on land and in water, similarly reflect the Ọba’s rule over land and sea (Gallagher 1983, p. 93). With these different qualities in mind, the mudfish is an important symbol of Benin kingship and royalty.

Sometimes the Ọba was depicted by artists with mudfish rather than legs (see Ọba with Mudfish Legs).

1 annotation
Ewi
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

Provenance

6 events
Production
1750 (year uncertain/approximate) 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.
Auction
August 11, 1898
The object was auctioned to William Downing Webster through Stevens Auction Rooms in London.
Auction
June 3, 1902
The object was auctioned by William Downing Webster through Stevens Auction Rooms in London.
Unknown
1941 (approximate) to 1948
The object is known to have come into contact with William F. C. Ohly, later in London.
Purchase
1948
The object was purchased by the Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève from Berkeley Galleries and William F. C. Ohly from London to Geneva.

Related archival documents

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Date

Institution data

Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève
The data was transferred directly through the Swiss Benin Initiative.
Last updated: 2022-07-04
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Reg No.
object id
MEG ETHAF 021934
Object name and materials
designation
Carved elephant tusk
Material
material
ivory
Dimension/s
dimensions
H. 155 cm
Provisional dating
date made
18th century
Creditline
prior source
Purchased from: Berkeley Gallery (William Ohly), London
Provenances
provenance
18th century comissioned from the Royal Ivory-sculptors Guild (Igbesanmwan) by the Royal Palace of Benin possibly by Oba Eresonyen ca. 1735; by descent to Oba Ovonramwen (Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, b. about 1857 - d. about 1914; r. 1888 - 1897); 1897, looted from the Royal Palace during the British military occupation of Benin; [...]; 11th August 1898 sold at Stevens Auction House for £2.2.0; 1898 - 1902 (?); William D. Webster (1868-1913 delaer, London); 3rd June 1902 sold at Stevens Auction House for £7.10.0 (?); [...]; until 1948 Berkeley Gallery (William Ohly London); 1948 acquired by the Musée d'Ethnographie de Genève
Institution
department and institution
MEG Musée d'ethnographie de Genève
Institution acquisition date
accession date
1948 / 1949
Additional IDs
5443 (Webster N°)
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