Catalogue
Catalog #
E428173-0
Institution
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Edo designations
English designations
Male Figure
King Figure
Categories
Altar & Shrine Objects
Figures
Location
10th St. & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560, United States
Male Figure
Male Figure
Male Figure
Male Figure

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 John Patrick Howe from Benin Kingdom.
Inheritance
1928
The object was inherited by John Scott Howe from John Patrick Howe in United Kingdom.
Auction
November 20, 1961
The object was auctioned to Joseph Herman Hirshhorn and D.C Washington Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden through Sotheby's and Gimpel Fils in London.
Donation
August 28, 1992
The object was donated by D.C Washington Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History with its destination in Washington, D.C..

Institution data

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2022-01-18
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Accession number
object id
370312
Catalog #
object id
E428173-0
Object Name
designation
Figure Of King
Material
material
Copper alloy
Measurement
dimensions
Length 41.5 cm; Width 16 cm; Height 11 cm
Index Term
object type
Sculpture
Count
object count
1
Date created
date made
Ca. 1821-1897
Site
production place
Nigeria, Edo State / Kingdom of Benin, Benin City
Donor / Transactor
prior source
Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden
Collector
provenance
J. P. Howe
Date collected
date collected
1897
Culture
ethnic attribution
Edo
Accession date
accession date
8/28/92
Notes
notes
Provenience undocumented (kings of the Oranmiyan Dynasty, Benin City, Nigeria, after c. 1821 (probably after mid-19thc) to 1897 dates based on chronology for Benin bronzes established by William Fagg and Philip Dark; Dr John Patrick Howe, England, collected on Punitive , 1897-; Capt. John S Howe, England, by 1934 - 11/20/61 (sale Sotheby's London. #148, p.40 ill - on loan to British Museum, London, 1934-1961); Joseph Hirshhorn purchase via Gimpel Fils of London, 11/20/61 to 5/17/66. Identification provided by Hirshhorn Museum (HMSG). Vetted by Philip Dark and William Fagg . Dark dated this as post 1820. Exhibited at British Museum, c. 1935-WWII; storage to 1961 (see John W. Picton letter in SI Archives ). Description: solid brass male figure wears close-fitting helmet, short-sleeved shirt, knee-length skirt & boots. Helmet has open diamond-work pattern with erect finial with raised chevron design & flat top, semi-circular crest, floral attachments, tassels & beaded braids. Almond-shaped eyes, wide nose, full lips. Ridged neck band covers chin. Torso covered with chains & bands. Arms at right angle to body, right hand holding unidentified item, left hand a fist. Skirt decorated with low-relief of faces & other designs. Wears decorated weapon at left side. Bottom of right foot "66.5074." Condition: partial loss on finial top. Very heavy. SI Archives acc. 86-136, box 2
Digital negative #
images
NMNH-2022-00252; NMNH-2022-00253; NMNH-2022-00254; NMNH-2022-00255; NMNH-2022-00256; NMNH-2022-00257; NMNH-2022-00258; NMNH-2022-00259
Online record
weblink
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/362432f73-c7ca-43ec-83f8-dd38c1996ec6
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