Accession Number: (Registration Details)/Accession Details/Accession Number/Accession No.: (Accession Details)
0.9147/2
Institution
Manchester Museum
Edo designations
English designations
Altar Tableau
Categories
Figures
Location
Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
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Iconographies

3 annotations
Fan
Ẹzuzu
Hand fan

Ẹzuzu (round hand fans) are usually carried by attendants to the Ọba or Iy’Ọba. On the Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), male attendants to the Ọba carry fans, whereas on Urhotọ (altar tableaux), female attendants carrying fans are depicted flanking the Iy’Ọba. Ẹzuzu connote the status of both the person being fanned and the holder, who is usually an attendant fanning the superior Ọba or Iy’Ọba. Usually, male attendants—members of the Emada—would be represented with the Ọba, while young women would attend to the Iy’Ọba. Ẹzuzu have an important function in cooling; however, the wafting of the fans can also calm spiritual energy, thus making the fan a symbol of peace ( ).

A further symbolic use for the Ẹzuzu includes blowing medicine across the surface of a fan and using mirrored fans by ritual specialists to make predictions about the future ( ). The symbolic importance of fans in Edo belief is reflected in their use as one of a small group of inanimate objects that are the focal subjects of some Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn.

1 annotation
Ẹzuzu
Ekhara
Umbrella

Ekhara (umbrellas) play a multifaceted role in Benin art, reflecting both their function as status symbols and their association with European visitors. On some Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), sunshades resembling Asa are held by the Ọba’s attendants to protect him from the sun. European-style Ekhara, as we know them today, are also depicted in late 19th-century wooden carvings produced by the Emada. In her analysis of the Aken'ni Elao, Barbara Blackmun ( ) observed that on earlier objects, umbrellas were generally depicted only in the hands of foreign figures rather than those identified as members of the Benin Kingdom.

On later objects, particularly those dating to the late 19th century, this changes. The Ọba and high-ranking chiefs such as the Ezọmọ are depicted being shielded from the sun by attendants carrying Ekhara, a practice also described by Europeans visiting Benin City (e.g., ). Like many imported luxury goods, the Ekhara was incorporated into the visual language of royal power and became an important status symbol, associated with the wealth, authority, and elevated position of those permitted to use it.

1 annotation
Ekhara
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.

1 annotation
Ẹbẹn

Provenance

3 events
Production
unknown to 1958
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn guild in Benin City.
Unknown
unknown to 1958
The object is known to have come into contact with J. Sutcliffe, later in United Kingdom.
Donation
1958
The object was donated by J. Sutcliffe to the Manchester Museum from United Kingdom to Manchester.

Institution data

Manchester Museum
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-06-24
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Accession Number: (Registration Details)/Accession Details/Accession Number/Accession No.: (Accession Details)
object id
0.9147/2
Physical Description
designation
description
A figurine depicting a group of a king and slaves. It is cast from bronze with a dull black patina. The king sits on a low bench holding a sword in his right hand and smoking a very long pipe which he supports with his left hand. He wears a lattice patter
Object Name/Object Name: (Classification)
object type
Figurine Sculpture
Place: (Production Details)
production place
Africa, Nigeria, Benin
Accession Lot: (Collection Details)/Accession Lot: (Accession Details)
prior source
[0.9146- 0.9147] Sutcliffe, Miss J (1956-58)
Origin
provenance
Nigeria, Benin. Donated by J Sutcliffe to Manchester Museum in 1958.
Current Location/Current Location: (Current Location)
display status
[CP1/B56/102/D/Shelf] Manchester Museum - Coupland 1 - Basement - B.56 - Ethnology Store - Cupboard 102 - Shelf D - On Shelf
Copyright
license
© The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester Images (.tiff): © The Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, photography by Michael Pollard
Correspondence Transcripts
Sensitive Content

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