
| Institution field | Value |
|---|---|
idno object id | E 1900.98.2 |
local edo designation | uhunmwun elao |
Physical description/0 description | Catalogue card notes: "A head (larger than life) of a native noble showing the tribal mark scars of the Bini, wearing a helmet and various ornaments. [...] Fine bronze casting by the 'cire perdue' process at the end of the XVI century. Benin City." |
Physical description/1 description | A copper alloy head of an Oba. A head of a native noble showing the tribal mark scars of the Bini, wearing a helmet and various ornaments. Extremely heavy, take care when handling. |
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. |
height dimensions | 455 mm |
length dimensions | 335 mm |
width dimensions | 305 mm |
weight weight | 31.45 kg |
Inscription inscriptions | |
Labels - Markings/0 inscriptions | |
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period date made | 18th century; 19th century |
maker producer | |
d_Place production place | Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; South Nigeria; Benin City |
Other owners prior source | |
source prior source | Benin Expedition [collector]; Webster, William Downing [vendor]; Jenkinson, Francis John Henry [monetary donor] |
Collection or Excavation Year date collected | 1897 |
culture group ethnic attribution | Edo |
source date accession date | 1900 |
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Exhibition/0 exhibition history | Tate Britain, London, 17/11/2015 to 18/04/2016, Artist & Empire |
Exhibition/1 exhibition history | |
Reference Numbers bibliography | E 1900.98.2 MAA: AR 1901.495 A Other: 6364 [Webster Sale number] |
References/0 bibliography | Webster, W.D. (1899) Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnological Specimens. European and Eastern Arms and Armour. Prehistoric and Other Curiosities, Vol. 3, No. 18. Illustrated on unnumbered plate, plate, figs. 52-64. No. 63 63. (6365) Do. Mask, 18 inches high (Benin). £35.0.0. |
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Acquisition Details/0 | |
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Analysis/0 | In January 2017, Prof. Marcos Martinon-Torres and Agnese Benzonelli, UCL Institute of Archaeology, tested this item 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: 69.73%; Zn: 27.55%; Sn: 0.03%; Pb; 2.21%. 2) Cu: 68.74%; Zn: 28.59%; Sn: 0.02%; Pb: 2.22%. It was noted as Dark 5, Willett 5. It is dated as post 1700 according to chemistry but post 1800 according to Dark. |
Analysis/1 | |
Archaeology | |
Auction - Sale/0 | F.J.H. Jenkinson M.A. Annual Report notes that this item 'was purchased with Mr Jenkinson's donation to the Accessions fund.' Accession Register reads "B. Webster (Jenkinson) £35 See Webster Cat. No's 18. [No. 21 crossed out]" |
Auction - Sale/1 | Purchased from W. D Webster in 1900 with money donated to the Museum's Accession Fund by Francis John Henry Jenkinson (1853-1923), University Librarian from 1889 See Webster Catalogue Number 18 |
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CMS Description | |
Catalogue | |
Display/0 | Catalogue card reads, in blue biro: "1900 E. 98 (2) | AFRICA | WEST AFRICA / NIGERIA / A HEAD (larger than life) of a native noble showing the tribal mark scars of the Bini, wearing a helmet and various ornaments. Height 15"8. Fine bronze casting by the 'cire perdue' process of the end of the XVI century / Benin City / F.J.H. Jenkinson | R1901. 495a" Red circular sticker in bottom right corner of card. |
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Freezing | |
Online Only | |
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Surface Clean | CON.2015.1769 | Surface Clean |
unknown |
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