Provenance

6 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

1930 (approximate) to 1975

The object is known to have come into contact with Charles Alfred Marius Ratton, later in Paris.

Unknown

1958 (approximate) to 1975

The object is known to have come into contact with Merton Daniel Simpson, later in New York City.

Purchase

1975

The object was purchased by John & Marcia Friede from Merton Daniel Simpson and Merton D. Simpson Gallery in New York City.

Gift

1975

The object was given as a gift by John & Marcia Friede to the Brooklyn Museum in New York City.

Institution data

Brooklyn Museum

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2021-06-30

Language: english

Institution field	Value
ObjectID object id	100654
Title designation object type	Cylindrical Base
Description description	A hollow copper alloy cylinder shaped object. Along the sides in high relief are: Two chameleons, three leopards, and two frogs. Around the bottom, in low relief, is a serpent whose head extends up the side of the object and bites the frog. Another serpent in low relief is along the top rim, part of its body winds down the side, curves underneath one of the leopards and bites the second frog. The tails of the leopards curve up across their backs and touch their heads. A wooden peg has been embedded in an earth-like substance which fills the top of the object. A wooden plug has been inserted in the bottom of the object. Wooden plug in bottom, with tag reading, "Ratton/Paris."
Medium material	Copper alloy, wood
Dimensions dimensions	6 1/8 × 2 15/16 in. (15.5 × 7.5 cm) with base: 7 1/2 × 4 1/4 in. (19 × 10.8 cm)
Inscriptions inscriptions	labels: "TL1975.190.4"; "Ratton Paris"
Alpha Sort 2 date made	20th century
Begin Date date made	1897
Geography production place	Place made: Benin City, Royal Court of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria, Africa
Credit Line prior source	Gift of Marcia and John Friede
Provenance provenance	Prior to 1975, provenance not yet documented; before 1975, reportedly Charles Ratton, Paris; by 1975, Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York; 1975, purchased from Merton D. Simpson Gallery by the Brooklyn Museum.
Alpha Sort ethnic attribution	Edo
Maker ethnic attribution	Edo
Exhibition History exhibition history	Images of power: art of the royal court of Benin, New York University, the Grey Art Gallery, January 23 - February 21, 1981.
Published References bibliography	Kaplan, Flora S., ed. Images of Power: Art of the Royal Court of Benin. New York, NY: New York University Press, 1981, cat. 62. Cf. Fagg, "Divine Kingship in Africa," (1970).
Object Number	75.152.4
Sort Number	1975 152 4

Sensitive Content

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