Provenance

5 events

Production

unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)

The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ematon guild in Benin City.

Looted

February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to June 1899 (year approximate)

The object was looted by Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.

Unknown

1958 (approximate) to 1990

The object is known to have come into contact with Merton Daniel Simpson and Merton D. Simpson Gallery, later in New York City.

Unknown

1958 (approximate) to October 18, 1994

The object is known to have come into contact with Donald Morris, later in Birmingham.

Purchase

October 18, 1994 to December 31, 1994

The object was purchased by the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art from Donald Morris and Donald Morris Gallery from Birmingham to Kansas City.

Institution data

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The data was transferred directly from the institution.

Last updated: 2021-08-05

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Object number object id	94-28
Medium material	Iron, hide and ivory
Dimensions: dimensions	Overall: 40 5/8 x 8 9/16 x 6 1/8 in. (103.1875 x 21.7488 x 15.5575 cm)
Title object type	Commemorative Sword
Credit Line prior source	Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund
Provenance provenance	Kingdom of Benin, 19th century; With Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York; With Donald Morris Gallery, Birmingham, MI, by October 18, 1994; Purchased from Donald Morris Gallery by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1994.
Culture ethnic attribution	Benin Kingdom
Exhibition History exhibition history
Published References bibliography	Newsletter (The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Winter 1996), 3, (repro.).
Nelson-Atkins Online Collection Database	https://art.nelson-atkins.org/objects/18151/commemorative-sword?ctx=c407236a-f947-4423-b813-3f1dfb6d5e82&idx=2

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

The data was retrieved from the institution's website.

Last updated: 2021-08-16

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Object number object id	94-28
Description description	Benin, Sword Large sword with leaf-shaped blade decorated with open-work patterning over its entire surface. sword is decorated with engraved ivory sections. enclosed in a large ring of iron decorated with small sections of hide.
Gallery Label description	Commemorative Sword Nigeria, Benin Kingdom 19th century Iron, ivory and hide This ceremonial sword, called eben, is emblematic of chiefly status and royal authority. The sword, with its openwork and leaf-like form, may symbolize a king's combined military strength and occult knowledge of supernaturally powerful forest leaves and herbs. During state rituals, chiefs and titleholders pay homage to the King by twirling and tossing an eben sword into the air. It is also raised in allegiance, as depicted in the Benin Kingdom palace plaque nearby. In court arts attesting to a queen mother's unique female authority, eben swords may be displayed symbolizing power and chiefly status otherwise reserved for men. Purchase: Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund, 94-28
Medium material	Iron, hide and ivory
Dimensions: dimensions	Overall: 40 5/8 x 8 9/16 x 6 1/8 in. (103.1875 x 21.7488 x 15.5575 cm)
Title object type	Commemorative Sword
Object Date date made	19th century
Credit Line prior source	Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through the George H. and Elizabeth O. Davis Fund
Culture ethnic attribution	Benin Kingdom
Exhibition History exhibition history
Status display status	On View
Published References bibliography
Former Title	Eben Sword

Sensitive Content

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