idno
E 1900.98.2
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
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
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

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
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1900
The object is known to have come into contact with William Downing Webster, later in Bicester.
Purchase
1900
The object was purchased by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge from William Downing Webster through Francis John Henry Jenkinson from Bicester to 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.

Related archival documents

1 documents
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Date

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
E 1900.98.2
local
edo designation
uhunmwun elao
Physical description/0
description
Catalogue card notes: "A head (larger than life) of a noble showing the 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 noble showing the 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
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
d_Place
production place
Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; South Nigeria; Benin City
Other owners
prior source
source
prior source
Benin [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
Amendments - updates/0
notes
Amendments - updates/1
notes
Amendments - updates/2
notes
Amendments - updates/3
notes
Amendments - updates/4
notes
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.
References/0 2
bibliography
References/1
bibliography
Related Documents/0
bibliography
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 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
CMS Context/0
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 noble showing the 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.
Display/1
Display/2
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.2015.1769 | Surface Clean
unknown
Sensitive Content

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