object_number
A.1956.1155
English designations
Salt Cellar
Categories
Containers
Contextual Objects: Benin-Portuguese Ivories
Location
Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, United Kingdom
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Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar
Salt Cellar

Iconographies

2 annotations
Asoro
Spears

Asoro (spears) were used as weapons in battle and for hunting ( ; Ọbazee 2025, p. 37). According to , there were two types: long and short. Figures holding Asoro are often depicted on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), sometimes in battle scenes and at ceremonies and festivals.

1 annotation
Asoro
Uman-ague
Equal-armed cross

Uman-ague is a badge in the form of an equal-armed cross. The cross with straight-sided arms is known as the “Greek cross,” while the type with V-shaped arms, narrowing toward the centre, is known as the “Maltese cross.”

Uman-ague is usually worn around the neck by members of the Ewua or by the Ohensa ( ). The equal-armed cross has various meanings: as a symbol of cosmic order, it represents the number four and references the “four cardinal points established by the High God Osanobua when he created the world” (Girshick Ben-Amos 1999, p. 64), as well as the “crossroads or junction that serves as the point of connection between the natural and spiritual worlds” ( ). Paula Girshick Ben-Amos ( ) also argues that when used on the Aken'ni Elao (altar tusk), the cross, together with the Ivie okpagbaru (royal bead), constitutes an “emblematic reference” to Ọba Ẹsigie.

The cross also references the Portuguese missionaries who brought Christianity to the Kingdom during the reign of Ọba Ẹsigie, although the symbol was already in use before the arrival of Europeans ( ). The Maltese cross is thought to have been introduced by Ọba Eresonyẹn as part of his efforts to encourage the worship of the High God Osanobua during his reign ( ; ). Regardless, Uman-ague is often associated with Ọba Ẹsigie.

1 annotation
Uman-ague

Provenance

3 events
Production
1500 (approximate) to 1550 (approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igbesamwan guild in Benin City.
Unknown
1922
The object is known to have come into contact with Edinburgh National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland, later in Edinburgh.
Transfer
1956
The object was transferred from Edinburgh National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland to the National Museums Scotland in Edinburgh.

Institution data

National Museums Scotland
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-05-26
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
alternative_number
object id
A.L.224.1048
object_number
object id
A.1956.1155
object_name
designation
object type
Salt-cellar
description
description
Central section of a three-part salt-cellar of elephant ivory, carved with four armed Portuguese soldiers with traces of red stain: West Africa, Nigeria, Edo State, Benin, 16th century
material
material
Elephant ivory
dimensions
dimensions
Overall: Height 120mm accurate. Overall: Width 120mm accurate. Overall: Depth 120mm accurate
production.period
date made
16th century
technique
production technique
Carved
production.place
production place
Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, Western Africa
acquisition.source
prior source
National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland
association.subject
event
acquisition.date
accession date
1956
acquisition.method
accession method
Internal transfer
notes
notes
WEST AFRICA. SOUTHERN NIGERIA. BENIN. IVORY. IVORY CARVING; centre section of a large standing cup, consisting of a lower hollow hemisphere covered with striated lozenges to represent a plaited ornamentation and supporting a hollow cup on a slender stem. Around the periphery of both hemispheres are the upper parts of four figures bearded and wearing European costume of the 16th century, two opposed figures wear tall caps, carry swords and spears: the other pair have their outer hands on their sword hilts, the other arms being broken: considerable traces of red stain (tukulu?). Unidentified of West Africa. Wider World Gallery Label Text, 2001: Part of a Salt Cellar. Nigeria. Benin. Sixteenth century. Elephant ivory central section of a three-part vessel, carved with four armed Portuguese soldiers. Stained red. Curator note, 21 October 2010: Dimensions - 120 mm H x 120 mm W x 120 mm depth. || A.1956.1155 was transferred from the National Museum of Antiquities Scotland in 1956. It is listed in Loan Register dated 1922 as L. 224.1048 with NMAS number X 1313. Provenance has not been established prior to entry into NMS collections in 1922.
exhibition
exhibition history
Artistic Legacies || Artistic Legacies || Indian Encounters
references
bibliography
image_ref_no
images
PF27338; PF27339; PF27340; PF27341; PF27342; PF27343; PF27344; PF27345; PF27346; PF27347
alternative_number.type
Obsolete Loan number
association.person
association.person.association
association.person.note
school_style
Benin
Sensitive Content

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