Object Number
1991.17.34
Edo designations
English designations
Attendant Figure
Categories
Figures
Location
1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, United States
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Iconographies

4 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
Udahae
Beaded forehead band

The Udahae is a forehead band made from coral beads and worn by chiefs. Sometimes a white Igan (feather) from the Oɛɣohɔ (vulturine fish eagle) is tucked into the left side of the Udahae. According to Benin oral tradition, the Udahae was introduced by Ọba Ezoti, the first son of Ọba Ewuare I. During his coronation, Ezoti was shot in the forehead with a poisoned arrow. To stop the bleeding, a band of red beads was wrapped around his forehead while he made public appearances. Fourteen days later, he died from his wound. Since then, Benin chiefs have worn the red-beaded Udahae around their foreheads to commemorate the cap used by Ezoti to stop the bleeding (Egharevba 1968, p. 21).

1 annotation
Udahae
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
Ẹbẹn
Ceremonial Sword

Ẹbẹn are a type of ceremonial sword of significant importance in the Benin Kingdom. During ceremonies, titled chiefs would hold them or toss them during dances, thereby paying homage to the Ọba at these public events, particularly when a chief receives a certain status. It is forbidden for Ẹbẹn to touch the ground, so the chief must take extra precautions to avoid dropping the Ẹbẹn during the dance. Therefore, the Okae-Odionmwan (head of executioners) dances with the Umozo (warfare or executioner’s sword) behind the dancing chief.

There are two central ceremonial swords used in the royal court of the Benin Kingdom, one of which is the Ẹbẹn, along with the Ada (ceremonial swords). They are distinguished by their blades: the Ẹbẹn blade reflects the shape of a leaf or an oar. Sometimes, it is decorated with openwork designs and/or brass inlays, most commonly shaped as small Ẹbẹn and Ẹkpẹn (leopards). The handle of the Ẹbẹn also has an unusual ring-shaped form, which further differentiates it from the Ada.

1 annotation
Ẹbẹn

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 Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.
Unknown
1939 to 1964
The object is known to have come into contact with Julius Carlebach and Julius Carlebach Gallery, later in New York City.
Auction
July 3, 1989
The object was auctioned to Klaus Gunther & Amelia 'Dolly' Perls through Sotheby's in London.
Gift
1991
The object was given as a gift by Klaus Gunther & Amelia 'Dolly' Perls to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Related archival documents

1 documents
See all
An archival document representing a Auction Catalog of 130 page(s)
Auction Catalogue
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Thomas J. Watson Library sales and auction catalogues
Date
July 3, 1989

Institution data

Metropolitan Museum of Art
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-07-30
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Object Number
object id
1991.17.34
Object Sort Number
object id
1991 17 34
Primary Rendition No
object id
vs1991_17_34-d
Title
designation
object type
Figure: Court Attendant with Ceremonial Sword
Medium
material
Brass
Dimensions
dimensions
H. 12 11/16 in. × W. 5 in. × D. 5 1/2 in. (32.2 × 12.7 × 14 cm)
Classification
object type
Metal-Sculpture
Date
date made
18th–19th century
Geo: City
production place
Court of Benin
Geo: Country
production place
Nigeria
Credit Line
prior source
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1991
Provenance
provenance
[Julius Carlebach Gallery, New York]; a European private collector; (Sotheby's, London, July 3, 1989, no. 100); Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, New York, 1989–1991
Dynasty
reign associated name
Oranmiyan
Culture
ethnic attribution
Edo peoples
ExhibitionHistory
exhibition history
Royal Art of Benin from the Perls Collection The Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 16, 1992–September 13,1992 Treasures From an African Kingdom: The Royal Art of Benin from thePerls Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art The Frick Art & Historical Center, June 24, 1993–August 29,1993 Kimbell Art Museum, October 30, 1993–January 2,1994 High Museum of Art, January 25, 1994–April 24,1994 Cincinnati Art Museum, May 21, 1994–August 7,1994 Denver Art Museum, September 6, 1994–November 28,1994
Bibliography
bibliography
Ezra, Kate. Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992, p. 76, no. 20.
Published References
bibliography
Sotheby's, London. Important Art. Sale catalogue of July 3, 1989: lot 100. "ROYAL ART OF BENIN. The Perls Collection in The Metropolitan Museum of Art." Kate Ezra. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Harry N. Abrams Inc., New York 1992 Fig. 20
Sensitive Content

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