Iconographies

1 annotations

Ikpigho

Cowrie

Historically, Ikpigho (cowries) were used as a form of currency, and they continue to carry associations with wealth and prosperity. Further strengthening the association between Ikpigho and wealth is the fact that cowries were among the goods imported by European merchants to the kingdom from the 15th century until the 19th century, from as far afield as the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Together with motifs such as Portuguese heads, cowries became associated with wealth brought from overseas and, therefore, are also associated with Olokun, god of the sea. The white colour of Ikpigho further associates them with Olokun, as well as with joy (Nevadomsky 2007, p. 498).

1 annotation

Provenance

3 events

Production

unknown to 1913

The object was produced in Edo State.

Unknown

1909 to 1913

The object is known to have come into contact with Northcote Whitridge Thomas, in Edo State.

Purchase

1911 to 1914

The object was purchased by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge from Northcote Whitridge Thomas through Anthony Ashley Bevan with its destination in Cambridge.

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 field	Value
idno object id	Z 12170
local edo designation	Ochumewere
Physical description/0 description	Catalogue card for Z 26941/Record 1 reads "Charm:- Piece of (sketch of semicircle shape)-shaped mud, with a cowrie shell stuck in the middle of the bottom, and a tattered red feather protruding at either end."
Physical description/1 description	Catalogue card for Z 12170 reads: "Ochumewer"e = good luck medicine A charm composed of parrot feathers, a cowrie, chalk, alligator pepper, mud etc, all formed into an oval mass. Directions for use - wet with saliva then rub finger along it in the morning on a journey before saluting anyone, then rub forehead repeating formula"
Physical description/2 description
Physical description/3 description
Physical description/4 description
d_Description Name description	Ochumewere. A charm composed of parrot feathers, a cowrie, chalk, alligator pepper, mud etc, all formed into an oval mass. The feathers are very damaged and the quill end is nearly detached.
height dimensions	31 mm
length dimensions	104 mm
width dimensions
weight weight
Inscription inscriptions
Labels - Markings/0 inscriptions	The number '2166' has been ?written on the left side of the Thomas Collection label.
Labels - Markings/1 inscriptions	Object is marked and stored as Z 26941.
Labels - Markings/2 inscriptions	No Thomas label is attached or accompanying the object marked Z 26941, now stored as Z 12170.
Labels - Markings/3 inscriptions
Labels - Markings/4 inscriptions
Labels - Markings/5 inscriptions
period date made
maker producer
d_Place production place	Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; Edo State; Benin City
Other owners prior source
source prior source	Thomas, Northcote Whitridge [field collector]; Bevan, Anthony Ashley (Prof.) [monetary donor]
Collection or Excavation Year date collected
culture group ethnic attribution	Edo
source date accession date
Amendments - updates/0 notes	A series of 349 Thomas objects were incorrectly entered in Register Z3 from page 13 from Z 12000 [incorrectly entered as 'Z 111000' [sic]] to page 26 and Z 12349 [incorrectly entered as 'Z 11111124 [sic]]. Register entry for Z 12170 [incorrectly entered as 'Z 11145' and now crossed out] notes 'Charm. Parrot feathers, cowrie, chalk etc. Bini/ / N.W. Thomas/ S. Nigeria'. [Added later in pencil, undated] 'Missing'.
Amendments - updates/1 notes
Amendments - updates/2 notes
Amendments - updates/3 notes
Amendments - updates/4 notes
Exhibition/0 exhibition history
Exhibition/1 exhibition history
Reference Numbers bibliography	Z 12170 MAA: Z 26941 [later accession number]; Z 11145 [incorrect accession number] Other: 161 [Thomas Collection number - 1st Catalogue]; 2166; T.10.2166 A; T10 2166A
References/0 bibliography
References/0 2 bibliography
References/1 bibliography
Related Documents/0 bibliography	See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]
Related Documents/1 bibliography	Catalogue card notes" 'Z 12170 1010-13 ['1910-13' now crossed through] / T.10.2166A ['T.10.2166A' is now crossed out]/ EDO/ BINI/ 161. OCHUMEWERE = good luck medicine A charm composed of parrot feathers, a cowrie, chalk, alligator pepper, mud etc, all formed into an oval mass. Directions for use - wet with saliva then rub finger along it in the morning on a journey before saluting anyone, then rub forehead repeating formula'. Card stamped 'S. NIGERIA' and COLL. THOMAS/ DON BEVAN'. [Added later in pencil] 'Boxed as Z 26941' A small red circular sticker is attached to card. Written on reverse of card 'O.N.161'
Related Documents/2 bibliography	Numbered '161' in the Thomas Collection, 1st Catalogue.
Related Documents/3 bibliography	Note added to catalogue card Z 26941 reads: 'This object = Z 12170 Bini'.
Related Documents/4 bibliography	Catalogue card for Z 12170 reads "'1910-13 T.10.2166 A' has been crossed through on the catalogue card. Note in different hand in pencil reads: 'boxed as Z 26941'"
Related Documents/5 bibliography	1st Thomas Catalogue notes numbers 1-249 as "Bini (Benin City)". [R.Hand 31/5/2001]
Related Documents/6 bibliography	Register entry for Z 26941 notes 'Charm = piece of mud with cowrie shell + feather attached/ N.W. Thomas Coll/. S. Nigeria'
Acquisition Details/0
Acquisition Details/1
Acquisition Details/2
Analysis/0
Analysis/1
Archaeology
Auction - Sale/0
Auction - Sale/1
CMS Context/0
CMS Description
Catalogue
Display/0
Display/1
Display/2
Display/3
Field_collection/0
Field_collection/1
Found_together - assemblage
Freezing
Online Only
Other/0
Other/1
Production - use	Directions for use - wet with saliva then rub finger along it in the morning on a journey before saluting anyone, then rub forehead repeating formula.
Remedial/0
Remedial/1
Surface Clean
unknown

Sensitive Content

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