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 Arthur Vyell Vyvyan from Benin Kingdom.

Auction

August 24, 1897

The object was auctioned to William James Ingram by Arthur Vyell Vyvyan through Stevens Auction Rooms in London.

Donation

October 11, 1897

The object was donated by William James Ingram to the British Museum in London.

Exhibition

1970 to 1973

The object was exhibited at London.

Institution data

British Museum

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2025-06-10

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Registration number object id	Af1897,1011.5
PRN object id	EAF14450
Object Type designation	altar-ring
Description description	Altar-ring; lost-wax cast in brass with iron core. In form of open ring depicting vultures pecking at decapitated human bodies, severed human heads and a monkey skull.
Ethnic name (made by) ethnic attribution	Edo
Date	16thC-19thC (circa)
Production place production place	Made in: Benin City
Findspot place collected	Found/Acquired: Benin City
Materials material	brass ~iron
Technique production technique	lost-wax cast
Dimensions dimensions	Height: 26.40 cm~Width: 25.00 cm~Depth: 4.00 cm~Weight: 1213.00 g
Exhibition history exhibition history	Exhibited: 1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa
Condition condition	Good.
Associated events event	Associated Event: British Expedition to Benin City - Feb 1897
Acquisition name (acquisition) provenance	Sir William James Ingram
Acquisition name (excavator) provenance	Field Collection by: Sir Arthur Vyell Vyvyan
Acquisition date accession date	1897
Acquisition notes (acquisition) provenance	Purchased by the donor at a Stevens auction on 24 August 1897. This object is described in the catalogue as 'Large brass casting with five figures on top...', Lot 216. It previously formed part of the collection of Sir Arthur Vyell Vyvyan who served on the British Expedition to Benin City.
Acquisition notes (excavation) provenance	This altar-ring was looted from Benin City in 1897 by Arthur Vyvyan who served as Lieutenant on the HMS Theseus during the British Expedition to Benin City.

Sensitive Content

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