Catalogue
Catalog #
E428169-0
Institution
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Edo designations
English designations
Pendant Mask
Categories
Ceremonial Regalia
Location
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
Pendant Mask
Pendant Mask

Provenance

5 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn 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
1950s to June 5, 1959
The object is known to have come into contact with Aaron Furman, later in New York City.
Purchase
June 5, 1959
The object was purchased by Joseph Herman Hirshhorn and D.C Washington Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden from Aaron Furman Gallery and Aaron Furman from New York City to Washington, D.C..
Donation
August 28, 1992
The object was donated by D.C Washington Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with its destination in Washington, D.C..

Institution data

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-01-18
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Accession number
object id
370312
Catalog #
object id
E428169-0
Object Name
designation
Hip Mask Pendant
Material
material
Copper alloy
Measurement
dimensions
Length 20.5 cm; Width 13.5 cm; Height 5.5 cm
Index Term
object type
Mask
Count
object count
1
Date created
date made
18th-19th century
Site
production place
Nigeria, Edo State / Kingdom of Benin, Benin City
Donor / Transactor
prior source
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Collector
provenance
Date collected
date collected
Before 1959
Culture
ethnic attribution
Edo
Accession date
accession date
8/28/92
Notes
notes
Provenience undocumented (Benin City, Nigeria, 18th-19th c. dates based on chronology for Benin bronzes established by William Fagg and Philip Dark. Aaron Furman Gallery of NY, to 6/5/59; Joseph Hirshhorn purchase 6/5/59 to 5/17/66). Vetted by William Fagg and Philip Dark for HMSG. Exhibited in HMSG's "Benin Art" Dec 1978 - (?) 1980. Description: oval-shaped hollow mask has stylized facial features with large bulging eyes with iron inlaid pupils, wide nose decorated with cross-hatched band along length of nose, lips. Scarification marks above eyes. Wears tall, mitre-shaped headdress with openwork diamond pattern & floral attachments. Lower circumference of mask has 2 flanges. Upper flange has series of mudfish. Lower flange has series of loops with 2 bigger ones at top & bottom center. Attached to the loops at bottom are 2 bells. Condition: top left mudfish on upper flange is cracked and only partially attached to surface. SI Archives acc. 86-136, box 2
Digital negative #
images
NMNH-2022-00230; NMNH-2022-00231; NMNH-2022-00232; NMNH-2022-00233
Online record
weblink
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/335843ccd-eaee-40c5-b09c-cd9b5c9a9d7f
Photos Online?
Sensitive Content

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