idno
1925.64
Edo designations
English designations
Commemorative Head
Categories
Altar & Shrine Objects
Heads
Location
1 Adesogbe (Plymouth) Road, P.M.B. 1115, Benin City , Edo State
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Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head
Commemorative Head

Iconographies

3 annotations
Ikharo
Forehead markings

Ikharo are linear keloid markings depicted on the forehead of Uhunmwu-Elao (commemorative heads) in groups of three or four above each eye. The exact meaning of Ikharo is debated; some have argued that they relate to the gender or tribal identification of the person on whom they are depicted. For example, has argued that they were worn only by men; however, their use in depictions is not consistent with this, and the Iy’Ọba are also shown wearing them. argued that they are instead a stylistic feature employed by artists that varied over time.

The naming of these markings differs between publications. For example, describe these markings as “agbaguda n'ehae”, which they write translates literally as “blades of the forehead”. However, later went on to call these “ikharo”, as used here. referred to these forehead markings as ikharo, meaning “tribal mark [of eye]”.

1 annotation
Ikharo
Ititi ako
Star beads

The Ititi ako is a cluster of coral beads, usually three or four, attached to a pin and used to embellish the royal crowns on Uhunmwu-Elao (commemorative heads) and Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ (pendant masks). These bead clusters are also known as star beads, which indicate the prosperous destiny of an individual or wearer. Apart from enhancing the appearance of the wearer, they also represent the individual’s high social status. Judging from their presence on a variety of head sculptures, both men and women wore Ititi ako.

1 annotation
Ititi ako
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
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.
Exhibition
April 1924 to October 31, 1925
The object was exhibited at Wembley Park.
Purchase
October 31, 1925 to December 31, 1925
The object was purchased by Louis Cobbett.
Donation
October 31, 1925 to December 31, 1925
The object was donated by Louis Cobbett to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge with its destination in Cambridge.
Restitution
February 8, 2026
The object was restituted by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge to the Omo n'Oba n'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ọba of Benin & National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria from Cambridge to Nigeria.

Institution data

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-07-18
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
idno
object id
1925.64
local
edo designation
uhunmwun elao
Physical description/0
description
Catalogue card notes: "Bronze cast of human head, features, 3 marks over each eye, hatching above, circles below same. Pupils of eyes inlaid with iron. Reticulated headdress and 4 rosettes of coral or agate. Coral choker -badge of rank. Band of coral on each side of ear and 4 strands of plaited hair. Base of head decorated with ox heads and other animals and Neolithic celt s in front and behind."
Physical description/1
description
Benin Head
Physical description/2
description
Physical description/3
description
Physical description/4
description
d_Description Name
description
Lost-wax cast commemorative head of an Oba, used to support a tusk on an ancestral altar. Presumed collected on the British to Benin City, 1897.
height
dimensions
336 mm
length
dimensions
271 mm
width
dimensions
251 mm
weight
weight
14.4 kg
Inscription
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/0
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/1
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/2
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/3
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/4
inscriptions
Labels - Markings/5
inscriptions
period
date made
18th century; 19th century
maker
producer
Igun Eronmwon (royal guild of brass casters)
d_Place
production place
Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; [?Kingdom of Benin]; Edo State; ?Benin City; ?Oba’s Palace
Other owners
prior source
Donated by Dr Louis Cobbet (1863-1947), Cambridge University Lecturer in Bacteriology from 1907 to 1929. There is no documentation on Cobbet’s acquisition but it is typical of the ‘bronzes’ looted as part of the Benin , 1897. This has therefore been added to the source field with queries to indicate the lack of available data for a definite provenance.
source
prior source
Cobbett, Louis (Dr) [donor]; ?Benin [collector]
Collection or Excavation Year
date collected
1897
culture group
ethnic attribution
Edo
source date
accession date
1925
Amendments - updates/0
notes
Amendments - updates/1
notes
Amendments - updates/2
notes
Amendments - updates/3
notes
Amendments - updates/4
notes
Exhibition/0
exhibition history
Exhibition Body Art exhibition, January-July 2006. Installation week: 23rd-27th January. Last day of exhibition: 2nd July; de-installation: 3rd July.
Exhibition/1
exhibition history
Reference Numbers
bibliography
1925.64
References/0
bibliography
Catalogue card notes: cf. Pitt Rivers, A.H.L (1900) Antique Works of Art from Benin, Pl. XVI, p.32 '(N.B.) This cast has a base'.
References/0 2
bibliography
McKeating, Alison, D. W. Phillipson and Rachel Maclean. Metal in Africa. Cambridge: Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology Cambridge University African Studies Centre, 1996. Pg 2 and 27
References/1
bibliography
Related Documents/0
bibliography
Catalogue card reads, in black ink: 25.64 | W. Africa / Benin / Bronze cast of human head. features, 3 marks over each eye, hatching above, circles below same. Pupils of eyes inlaid with iron. Reticulated head-dress & 4 rosettes of coral or agate. Coral choker - badge of rank. Band of coral on each side of ear & 4 strands of plaited hair. Base of head decorated with ox heads & other animals & Neolithic celts in front and behind. / D.D. Dr L. Cobbett / cf. Pitt Rivers "Antique Works of Art from Benin" PL XVI. p32. (NB) this cast has a base)." Red circular sticker in bottom right corner of card.
Related Documents/1
bibliography
Related Documents/2
bibliography
Related Documents/3
bibliography
Related Documents/4
bibliography
Related Documents/5
bibliography
Related Documents/6
bibliography
Acquisition Details/0
Acquisition Details/1
Acquisition Details/2
Analysis/0
In January 2017, Prof. Marcos Martinon-Torres and Agnese Benzonelli, UCL Institute of Archaeology, tested this idno using a portable XRF as part of a programme of base metal analysis of Benin material. This object was tested twice and the results are as follows: 1) Cu: 70.53%; Zn: 26.80%; Sn: 0.03%; Pb: 2.27%. 2) Cu: 70.84%; Zn: 26.10%; Sn: 0.02%; Pb: 2.60%. It was observed this head was classed as Willett 5 and 1700-1850 (Dark 4 chrono range).
Analysis/1
Archaeology
Auction - Sale/0
Possibly purchased by Cobbet at the close of the Empire Exhibition where it may have been exhibited as part of the Nigerian Pavilion, which also included Nigerian artists as living displays and a replica altar which featured painted wood representations of the original bronze and ivory artworks
Auction - Sale/1
CMS Context/0
CMS Description
Catalogue
Display/0
Register notes: exhibited at the 'Wembley Exhib: 1924'. This is the British Empire Exhibition, Wembley Park, London, 23 April 1924 to 31 October 1925.
Display/1
Exhibited in the Benin case, Andrews Gallery, 20 March 2017- present.
Display/2
Exhibited: On loan to Stevenage Museum, UK, for 'Body Art: The Human Canvas,' 4 February to 2 July 2006.
Display/3
Field_collection/0
Field_collection/1
Found_together - assemblage
Freezing
Online Only
Other/0
Other/1
Production - use
Remedial/0
Remedial/1
Surface Clean
CON.2016.3608 | Surface Clean
unknown
Sensitive Content

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