OBJEKTE_ID
1795324
Edo designations
English designations
Relief Plaque
Categories
Palace Architecture & Ornamentation
Location
Johannispl. 5-11, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Relief Plaque
Relief Plaque

Iconographies

11 annotations
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.

2 annotations
Odigba
Odigba
Water fern
Ebe Amẹ
Water Fern

Ebe Amẹ refers to a wide variety of plants, particularly the leaves of the water fern or river leaf, found in riverine areas of southern Nigeria ( ). Artists from the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn used these as a decorative motif in the background of most Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques). The petals of the Ebe Amẹ, like the points of the ἀghàdàgháda (crossroads), represent the four cardinal directions: north, east, south, and west. The number four plays a foundational role in the Edo calendar, which is structured around four market days ( ).

1 annotation
Ebe Amẹ
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
Orhiẹvbẹ
Kola Nut Bowl

Orhiẹvbẹ are boxes or bowls used to store and present kola nuts and other items for offering, particularly in ceremonial and ritual contexts. Kola nuts were, and continue to be, presented to guests by hosts as a gesture of courtesy and friendship, as well as a symbol of peace, order, and civilisation ( ; ).

Orhiẹvbẹ are incorporated into the imagery of Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques), where they are often held by attendants, indicating the presentation of offerings, particularly to the Ọba. Those depicted among the Emwin Arre (royal treasures) take a variety of forms, ranging from simple round or oval bowls and lidded vessels to examples shaped as antelope heads.

2 annotations
Orhiẹvbẹ
Orhiẹvbẹ
Igan
Feather

Igan (feathers) are commonly depicted tucked into the headdresses and hats of chiefs represented on Emwin Arre (royal treasures). These feathers are from the Oɛɣohɔ (vulturine fish eagle) and symbolise respected old age and proper chieftaincy ( ).

1 annotation
Igan
tribal marks
Iwu
Facial and Body Markings

Iwu are facial and body markings (scarifications) that were historically worn by Edo men and women. However, since the 1960s, the practice has been nearly extinct (Aisien 2011). In the past, Iwu were used as a way of proving that one was an Edo citizen, and the ceremony of having Iwu completed was an important rite of passage for men and women. The Osiwu, who also practised circumcision and other surgical procedures, would carry out the procedure of adding Iwu. There are different types of Iwu: ‘blades’ worn on the torso (Iwu-eko), and those worn on the face, such as Ikharo (three or four markings above the eyebrows), Irho (two narrow ‘blades’ worn on each cheek), Ovbihue (nasal ‘blades’), Ovbi-agbanmwen (chin ‘blade’), and Igho-okpa/Ukpgho (three forehead ‘blades’) (Aisien 2011, p. 22).

The number of Iwu also varied depending on the identity of the person wearing them. For example, royal men would wear six ‘blades’ on their torso, whilst men who were not royal would wear seven ‘blades’. Meanwhile, the Ọba’s female children would wear fifteen ‘blades’, and all other women would wear sixteen (Aisien 2011).

3 annotations
Iwu
Iwu
Iwu
Uko
Container

Uko are flask-shaped containers with globular bodies and narrow openings, which could be made from calabash or cast in brass. The Uko depicted on Emwin Arhe (royal treasures) are usually worn around the neck or waist of figures, particularly those identified as ritual specialists or warriors, suggesting that they may have contained protective or ritual substances. Figures on Ama-Ẹrọnmwọn (bronze relief plaques) are sometimes shown holding or pouring from larger Uko, likely referencing the presentation of offerings during ceremonies and festivals. Uko motifs also decorate the flanges of Ikẹgobọ (altars to the hand), where they may similarly reference vessels used to contain liquid offerings.

1 annotation
Uko

Provenance

9 events
Production
1504 (approximate) to 1550 (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 Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.
Unknown
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1913
The object is known to have come into contact with William Downing Webster, later in London.
Purchase
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to 1913
The object was purchased by Hans Meyer from William Downing Webster from London to Leipzig.
Loan
1900s to 1929
The object was loaned by Hans Meyer to the Staatliche Ethnographische Sammlungen Sachsen und Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden in Leipzig.
Inheritance
1929
The object was inherited by Elisabeth Meyer from Hans Meyer in Leipzig.
Long-term loan
1929 to 2001
The object was placed on long-term loan from Elisabeth Meyer to the Staatliche Ethnographische Sammlungen Sachsen und Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden in Leipzig.
Inheritance
1946
The object was inherited by Meyer community of heirs from Elisabeth Meyer in Leipzig.
Purchase
2001
The object was purchased by the Staatliche Ethnographische Sammlungen Sachsen und Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden from Meyer community of heirs through Ernst von Siemens Kunststiftung, City of Leipzig, Free State of Saxony and Kulturstiftung der Länder in Leipzig.

Related archival documents

3 documents
See all
An archival document representing a Photograph Album of 2 page(s)
Photograph Album
British Museum
W. D. Webster photograph album
Date
January 1, 1898 to December 31, 1899
An archival document representing a Sales Catalogs of 46 page(s)
Sales Catalogue
Wellcome Collection
Catalogue of ethnological specimens : European and Eastern arms & armour, Prehistoric and other curiosities / W.D. Webster, Oxford House, Bicester, Oxon., England.
Date
January 1, 1900 to December 31, 1900
An archival document representing a Sales Catalog of 31 page(s)
Sales Catalogue
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Thomas J. Watson Library sales and auction catalogues
Date
February 1, 1900 to February 28, 1900

Institution data

Staatliche Ethnographische Sammlungen Sachsen und Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-09-28
Language: german
Institution fieldValue
INV_NR
object id
MAf 34587
OBJEKTE_ID
object id
1795324
KURZTITEL
designation
Reliefplatte
Object-name-and-materials
designation
material
Reliefplatte: Drei Würdenträger mit Gefäßen Gelbguss (Messing)
TITEL
designation
Reliefplatte: Drei Würdenträger mit Gefäßen
INTERNETKOMMENTAR
description
notes
Die Reliefplatte ist Bestandteil des kulturellen und künstlerischen Erbe des vermutlich 800jährigen Königreiches von Benin. Das Königreich, welches auf dem Gebiet des heutigen südwestlichen Nigeria gelegen hat, wurde 1897 von den Briten erobert und die höfischen Kunstwerke gelangten als Kriegsbeute nach Europa. Bronzene Reliefplatten überzogen die Säulen des Palastes des Oba in Benin City. Die Tafeln zeigen Aspekte des höfischen Lebens und sind Zeugen der Geschichte des Königreiches. Dargestellt sind hier drei frontal abgebildete Würdenträger mit jeweils einem bronzenes Gefäß vor ihrer Brust, welches von ihren Händen umschlossen wird. Die zwei linken Figuren gleichen sich in ihrer Darstellung. So besitzen sie perlenverzierte Helme mit einer Feder, einen siebenreihigen Perlenkragen sowie weiteren Perlenschmuck um Hand- und Fußgelenke. Die rechte Figur trägt keinen Helm und so ist ihr in überlappende Ringlagen geschnittenes Haar zu erkennen. Auffällig sind bei dieser Figur auch die Gesichtsskarifikationen über den Augenbrauen. Alle drei Figuren tragen verzierte Schurze, wobei der rechte eine rein geometrische Musterung aufweist und die beiden übrigen zusätzlich auch Köpfe von Europäern abbilden. Den Hintergrund der Platte zieren florale Ornamente.|(SB)
KATALOGTEXT
description
MATERIAL
material
Messing
MASSEBEMERKUNG
dimensions
44,5 x 34 x 9 cm
MASSETABANGABE
dimensions
Gesamt
MASSETABBEMERKUNG
dimensions
MASSETABBREITE
dimensions
34
MASSETABDURCHMESSER
dimensions
MASSETABEINHEITLAENGE
dimensions
cm
MASSETABEINHEITLAENGE_IDS
dimensions
1
MASSETABHOEHE
dimensions
44,5
MASSETABTIEFE
dimensions
9
Dimensions_weight
weight
H: 44,5 cm W: 34 cm X: 9 cm
MASSETABEINHEITGEWICHT
weight
MASSETABEINHEITGEWICHT_ID
weight
MASSETABGEWICHT
weight
OBJEKTBEZ
object type
Plastik
KONVOLUT
provenance
object count
SES Benin-Objekte; SES Dossier Benin-Objekte, Überlieferung an die Kontaktstelle für Sammlungsgut aus kolonialen Kontexten
ORT_DATUM_BIS
date made
1699;1897
ORT_DATUM_KONKRET
date made
';'
ORT_DATUM_VON
date made
1500;
MATTECHBEMERKUNG
production technique
Gelbguss|Bronze (Gelbguß)|Ms (Restaurierung, Import 2016)
TECHNIK
production technique
gegossen
ORTE
production place
Federal Republic of Nigeria;Benin City
ORTZEITBEMERKUNG
production place
Königreich Benin, vor 1897, wohl 16./17.Jh.|
Ort_Zeit-Bemerkung
production place
Königreich Benin, vor 1897, wohl 16./17.Jh.
REGIONEN
production place
Benin
Collector/Previous-owner
prior source
Hans Meyer
ERWERBUNG
prior source
Ankauf 2001 von Erbengemeinschaft Meyer mittels Finanzierungsverbund (u. a. Kulturstiftung der Länder, Freistaat Sachsen, BKM, Ernst von Siemens-Stiftung und Stadt Leipzig)
PERSON
prior source
unbekannt;Webster, William Downing;Meyer, Hans
Acquisition-Details
provenance
Purchased by Finanzierungsverbund (Kulturstiftung der Länder, der Freistaat Sachsen, usw.)
EIGENTUEMER
provenance
PROVENIENZ
provenance
Händler: W. D. Webster (bis ?); Sammler: Hans Meyer (bis 1929); Elisabeth Meyer (bis 1946); Erbengemeinschaft Meyer (bis 2001)
PROVENIENZSTATUS
provenance
EREIGNISSE
event
;;
ETHNIEN
ethnic attribution
Institution
department and institution
Staatliche Ethnographische Sammlungen Sachsen - GRASSI Museum für Völkerkunde Leipzig
MUSEUM
department and institution
MVL
Institutional-acquisition-date
accession date
2001
Comments
notes
Hans Heinrich Joseph Meyer, 1858-1929, German Explorer, Editor, Africanist, professor of colonial history in Leipzig
PRAESENZ
display status
ausgestellt
BIBLIOGRAPHIE
bibliography
'- Ben-Amos, 1980, S. 18; |- Blier, 1998, S. 64; |- Duchâteau, 1993, 9b H. Meyer; |- Göbel, 1994, S.70; |- von Luschan, 1919, VIII, S. 98; |- Patrimonia 220, 2002, S. 102f; |- Kunstwerke der Welt, Afrika, Leipzig, 2008, S. 30f.
ERWAEHNTIN
bibliography
LITERATUR
bibliography
Gunsch, K.W.: The Benin Plaques: A Singular Monument. in: Art. N° 88 Summer 2018. S. 98-113||
LIT_LITERATUR
bibliography
Göbel 2002 [Kunst aus Benin - Sa...];Meyer 1994;Gunsch 2018;Wysocki Gunsch 2018;Deimel 2008
BILDUNTERSCHRIFT
images
ALTINVENTARE
lfd. Nr. Leihliste: 52; Hans Meyer (s. L 1929/2)
AUTHENTIZITAETSZUSATZ
;;
AUTHZUSAETZE_IDS
;;
Additional-IDs
9487; 9 b (H. Meyer number)
Dokumentname
MAf 34587_v
EREIGNISSE_IDS
;;
ETHNIEN_IDS
ETH_AUTHZUSAETZE
ETH_AUTHZUSAETZE_IDS
ETH_EREIGNISSE
ETH_EREIGNIS_IDS
FERTIG
1
FLAG
EXP
FOTOFELD
Neg. Af Obj. 5841|Publ.Dia: PD 354
FUNKTION
Hersteller;Händler;Sammler
GEAENDERT_AM
GLEICHRANGIG
GND_ID_OBEZ
22955
GND_ID_SCHLAGWORT
9470;116012;42159;20280;22955;24148
GRUNDDATEN
1
INTERNETFREIGABE
1
INVENTURDATUM
11.10.05;19.03.18
INVNR_MERKMALE_IDS
577;581;581;581;577;577
KONVOLUTE_IDS
959;1409
KOORDINATEN
(10 8);(6,33504 5,62749)
LEIHVERKEHR
LIT_ABBILDUNG
Tafel XX;;;Fig. 6.14;
LIT_BAND_SEITE
Bd. 220/S.103;S. 70;S. 98-113;S. 131;S. 30-31
LIT_BEMERKUNG
schwarz-weiss;schwarz-weiss;;s/w;
LIT_LITERATUR_IDS
184;681;2783;3121;1563
LIT_NUMMERE
;;;;
LIT_STA_INETFREIGABE
1;1;1;1;1
MAND_ID
1
MATERIALIEN_IDS
1074
MERKMAL
Aktenstück;Originalnummer;Originalnummer;Originalnummer;Aktenstück;Aktenstück
MUSEEN_ID
34
ORTE_IDS
2328926;2347283
ORT_AUTHZUSAETZE
;
ORT_AUTHZUSAETZE_IDS
;
ORT_BEZUG
;
ORT_EREIGNISSE
Herstellung;Sammelereignis
ORT_EREIGNISSE_IDS
12;17
PND_BEZUG
;;
PND_FUNKTIONEN_IDS
-2;645;642
PND_INETFREIGABE
1;1;1
PND_PERSONEN_IDS
12797488;12821279;11145307
PRAESENZEN_WERT_ID
-38
PROVSTATUS_WERT_ID
REGIONEN_IDS
612
REG_EREIGNISSE
Sammelereignis
REG_EREIGNIS_IDS
17
SAMMLUNG
Afrika
SAMMLUNGEN_ID
534
SCHLAGWORT
Architektur;Hofstaat;Kunst;Mann;Plastik;Relief
TECHNIKEN_IDS
75
UNTERGEORDNET
VORLAGEN
WEITERE_NUMMERN
2001/14;9487 (Webster);9 b H. Meyer;1919/18;L 1929/2;1989/21
WISSENSCHAFT
1
XRAY
###
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