ID
A41812
Edo designations
English designations
Relief Plaque
Categories
Palace Architecture & Ornamentation
Location
North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia
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Relief Plaque
Relief Plaque
Relief Plaque

Iconographies

10 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.

1 annotation
Odigba
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
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).

1 annotation
Iwu
Abuwa
Hand of Wealth

Abuwa ornaments are made from red ododo cloth and are a symbol of wealth (Inneh 2007, pp. 110–111). ‘Abuwa’ is understood to translate directly as “hand of wealth” (Ezra 1992, p. 313). The Abuwa is worn at the waist by high-ranking chiefs as part of their ‘pangolin skin’ ceremonial regalia (Inneh 2007, p. 110) and continues to be worn today.

1 annotation
Abuwa
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
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
Ukpọn
Wrapper

Ukpọn is the Edo term for cloth (Aigbe 1985, p. 55; Ọbazee 2025, p. 542) and is used here to refer to the wrappers or kilts worn by many of the figures depicted on the Emwin Arre (royal treasures). The cloth worn around the waist may be plain, but it is more commonly richly decorated with motifs associated with the monarchy, power, and wealth, such as the Ọba'nui (infinity symbol) and Uhunme Ikpotoki (Portuguese heads).

The Benin Kingdom was renowned for its textile production, both for local use and for trade ( ). Within the royal court, members of the Owina n’Ido produced ukhuen cloth for the Ọba and other members of the court, who wore it as wrappers during festivals and ceremonies ( ).

Alongside locally produced textiles, imported cloth was also an important commodity in the Benin Kingdom’s trade networks. Textiles were exchanged with neighbouring production centres, particularly Ijebu ( ), while European traders brought silks, woollens, linens, and cotton from Europe and Asia from the 15th century onwards ( ).

1 annotation
Ukpọn
Round Neck Bead
Ikele
Coral bead circlet

Ikele is a single stiff string or circlet of coral beads. It is worn by chiefs, such as senior chiefs who have been made Enigie (Inneh 2007, p.107), and is a sign of nobility and rank. The Ikele may only be worn once the Ọba has conferred a person with the right to wear the beads, and the Ikele must always be worn when appearing before the Ọba. According to Ekhaguosa Aisien (in Plankensteiner 2007, cat. nr. 301, p.512) when a chief is wearing the Ikele, they may not eat nor drink in public, and they “constitute an embassy of the Benin Palace wherever he might be.”

1 annotation
Ikele
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

Provenance

4 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 1899
The object is known to have come into contact with William James Ingram, later in United Kingdom.
Donation
1899 to February 26, 1902
The object was donated by William James Ingram to the South Australian Museum through Edward Charles Stirling from United Kingdom to Adelaide.

Related archival documents

2 documents
See all
An archival document representing a Correspondence of 1 page(s)
Correspondence
South Australian Museum
‘Letter from Art Gallery of South Australia, 18/7/1950’
Date
July 18, 1950
An archival document representing a Official Reports of 6 page(s)
Official Report
South Australian Museum
‘Graeme Pretty to the Museum Board 22/8/1983’
Date
August 22, 1983

Institution data

South Australian Museum
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-10-28
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
ID
object id
A41812
Notes
description
Benin plaques exist in two formats, which probably relate to the way they were originally arranged and fitted to palace architecture. In one format, the vertical sides have been folded back to produce a thin (approximately 30mm deep) decorative edge. The other format is skinnier and appears to be a trimmed back version of the first; it lacks an edging and the figures are surrounded by less background. A41812 is of the first type, and frames three figures against a background of floral motifs. The figures with high beaded collars [odigba] are chiefs, while the third figure is a priest. They each holds vessels, which may indicate that they are collecting ritual substances. The quatrefoil motif in the background might represent a medicinal plant. Philip Dark (1973:73) identifies this as a ‘river-leaf’ [ebe-ame] plant. And Ben-Amos (1980:28) associates these leaves with healing rites performed by the mythical African priestess Olokun, god of the sea.
Media
material
Bronze, cast
Dimensions
dimensions
507 mm H x 357 mm W x 112 mm D
Weight
weight
21.30 kg
Description
object type
Plaque depicting three figures
Timeline
provenance
Benin cultural material at the South Australian Museum Timeline 09.02.1897 The British Admiralty invades Benin City 04.10.1898 Webster writes a price list of items sent to SAM on approval. Three items are from Benin, and are described by Webster as ‘taken in Benin City, W. Coast Africa by the British troops in Feb. 1897’. The three items are a carved elephant tusk (A73539), a bronze head (A6523) and a bronze ‘staff of office’ (A41813). The list also includes three non-Benin items: a battle axe from the Congo, and two New Caledonian clubs. AA309/1/192. 05.10.1898 Webster writes to Stirling letting him know that he has sent ‘six specimens on approval’. He explains that he has ‘purchased most of the Benin specimens, primarily from officers in the and a few from government’, and that ‘there is nothing left in Benin’. He mentions that a tusk and some bronzes are included in the six specimens. AA309/1/195. 08.10.1898 Webster writes a short note to Stirling, telling him that he has enclosed a bill of lading for the shipment (bill of lading not sighted). AA309/1/196. 21.11.1898 SAM receives notice from Port Adelaide of the shipment’s arrival: two cases of ethnographic specimens. AA309/1/199 front, AA309/1/199 back. 15.12.1898 Stirling’s letter to the editor is published seeking a purchaser/donor for the Benin items being sold by Webster. This is published in the South Australian Register newspaper on page 5 with the heading ‘Treasures From Benin’. South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA 1839 - 1900), Thursday 15 December 1898, page 5. 21.12.1898 Stirling writes to Webster, referring to Webster’s letter dated 5.10.1898 and confirming receipt of the specimens that Webster sent. In relation to the items from Benin he writes ‘I regret to say that our funds (this year very small) do not permit us to become purchaser nor is it -----[?] to suspect that the ----[?] will be much better ------[?] years. He also says that he has contacted the two daily papers in the hope that someone might help with purchase. A298 - Letter Book Museum Book 1 1895 Part 1 - page 117. 05.01.1899 Stirling writes to Webster, referring to his letter to Webster dated 21.12.1898. The letter states ‘I have received from a gentleman of standing here an offer of fifty pounds £50 for the lot, that is to say for those from Benin and West Africa’. A298 - Letter Book Museum Book 1 1895 Part 1 - page 120. 06.01.1899 Newspaper articles in Adelaide’s Evening Journal and the South Australian Register titled ‘The Adelaide Museum’. Both articles are identical. The bulk of the articles is about the items from Benin. They state that Webster’s selling price is £60 and that Stirling had received ‘a private offer from an Adelaide gentleman which he will forward to Mr. Webster’. The rest of the article describes these items in some detail. It also quotes an extract from a book by Captain Alan Boisragon, one of the two survivors of the English to Benin. This extract details how these items were used. Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA 1869 - 1912), Friday 6 January 1899, page 4. South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA 1839 - 1900), Friday 6 January 1899, page 5. 15.01.1899 Stirling writes to Webster (not sighted) – NB: this is probably Stirling’s letter to Webster dated 05.01.1899; the date ‘15.01.1899’ is implied from the text of Webster’s letter to Stirling dated 13.02.1899 27.01.1899 Webster responds to a letter from Stirling (presumably the one dated 21.12.1898). The letter expresses thanks to Stirling for ‘writing to the papers’ to find a buyer/donor for the material sent by Webster. AA309-1-1-202. 13.02.1899 Webster writes to Stirling, referring to Stirling’s letter of 15.01.1899 [sic]. The letter he is referring to is probably the one dated 05.01.1899. He once again mentions Stirling’s attempt to secure a buyer for his material. He describes the shipment as containing ‘Benin and Congo specimens’ and that he will accept the offer of £50 for them but hoping for an additional £5 AA309-1-1-208. 20.03.1899 Stirling writes to Webster (not sighted). Based on Webster’s letter to Stirling dated 25.05.1899 it’s possible that Stirling’s letter is actually dated 20.04.1899 rather than 20.03.1899. Still couldn’t find it. 03.04.1899 Report of the Museum Committee notes an offer from Mr David Murray to donate ‘interesting and valuable ethnographic specimens from Benin City’. 25.05.1899 Webster refers to Stirling’s letter dated 20.04.1899. He acknowledges receipt of payment for the Benin material and a New Caledonian club. He also notes that there was a second New Caledonian jade axe that Stirling must have ‘overlooked’, and says that he is sending payment receipts and an invoice for the jade axe (both not sighted). AA309-1-1-215. June 1898-99 Record of David Murray’s donations of ‘1 Bronze Mask, 1 Carved Elephant tusk, 1 Iron axe with copper plated handle, 1 Bronze staff of Office’. Written under this in different hand-writing is ‘New Caledonian greenstone ax-head mounted in handle’. AA298-14-1-8 - Donations to SA Museum Book 3 - page 257. 30.06.1899 Annual Report, 1898-99 page 9, from the Assistant Museum Director A. Zietz. The report indicates that four items from Benin were acquired: A carved elephant tusk, a bronze bust, a bronze ‘staff of office’, and a battle axe. The items were presented to the museum as a donation by David A. Murray Esq. Annual Report 1898-99. 02.08.1899 Stirling writes to Webster enclosing payment for the New Caledonian jade axe. This is the item referred to in the Benin correspondence. A298 - Letter Book Museum Book 1 1895 Part 1 - page 130. 26.02.1902 Newspaper article in Adelaide’s Register page 8 with the heading ‘Professor Stirling’s Travels’ and the sub-heading ‘Notes on Museums’. The first paragraph details, amongst other thigs, donations made by various people to the museum, including the donations made by Sir William Ingram – ‘ethnological articles from New Guinea and the Polynesian Islands’ and ‘a valuable bronze house-panel from Benin, West Africa, of the same class of workmanship as the bronze mask now in the museum which, with some other Benin metalwork, was recently presented by Mr. David Murray’. The rest of the article is about visits to various American museums and the British Museum and improvements needed to Adelaide’s museum. Register (Adelaide, SA 1901 - 1929), Wednesday 26 February 1902, page 8. Feb 1901-02 Record of Sir William Ingram’s donation of ’30 Ethnological specimens from various localities’. AA298-14-1-9 - Donations to SA Museum Book 4 - page 78. 08.03.1902 Newspaper article in the Adelaide Observer, page 3 – the same article as that published on 26.02.1902 in Adelaide’s Register newspaper. This copy is, however, easier to read. It is in ‘The Traveller’ section with the heading ‘Professor Stirling’s Travels’ and the sub-heading ‘Notes on Museums’. Adelaide Observer (SA 1843 - 1904), Saturday 8 March 1902, page 3. 30.06.1902 Annual Report, 1901-02, pages 8 and 21. Records Ingram’s donations. On page 8 – ‘a fine bronze plaque from Benin City, West Africa as well as a number of New Guinea and Polynesian articles of interest’. On page 21 – ‘2 Humming Birds, 30 Ethnological specimens from various localities’. The ‘Ethnological specimens’ include those noted on page 8. Annual Report 1901-02. 06.11.1902 Newspaper articles in two Adelaide newspapers – the Advertiser, page 4 and the Express and Telegraph, page 2, titled ‘Gifts to the Museum’. Sir William Ingram’s donations of the bronze plaque from Benin and specimens from New Guinea and Polynesia are mentioned as donations received during the year ended June 1902. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA 1889 - 1931), Thursday 6 November 1902, page 4. Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA 1867 - 1922), Thursday 6 November 1902, page 2. Another article on the same date is in Adelaide’s Register on page 3. This is a longer article titled ‘Public Library Board’, sub-heading ‘Extracts from Annual Report – General’. Sir William Ingram’s donations are mentioned in Stirling’s part of the report. Register (Adelaide, SA 1901 - 1929), Thursday 6 November 1902, page 3. 1928—1950 Extended loan of Benin material to AGSA. See Correspondence file: 29 May, 18 July and September 1950. Petty (22.08.1983) notes that AGSA has frequently questioned the assignment of these pieces to the SA Museum. Letter dated 29.05.1950 not located. Letter dated 18.07.1950: AA298 - Correspondence June to August 1950. Letter in September1950 not located. 22.08.1983 Graeme Pretty presents paper to the SA Museum Board discussing the merits of a proposal to repatriate the Museum’s Benin material to Nigeria. Graeme Pretty 22081983.   Biographical notes Edward Charles Stirling (1848—1919) was the Director of the South Australian Museum from 1884 to 1912. He was buying artefacts for SAM from Webster from as early as December 1897. David Murray (1829—1907) was an Adelaide-based merchant and politician. Murray’s import and export business took him on ten round trips between Australia and England, and he finally settled back in London in March 1900. He was also an art collector and critic who purchased on behalf of the Board of Governors of the Adelaide Public Library. (see Australian Dictionary of Biography). William James Ingram (1847—1924) was a British politician and the Managing Director of The Illustrated London News. He married Stirling’s sister in 1874. Stirling visited Ingram in England in 1899 and was given a collection of ethnographic material that included ‘a bronze’.
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