Altars were maintained to commemorate past kings (Obas). These altars supported a variety of ritual objects, such as human heads of cast brass, which were the focus of periodic rituals. These rituals honored past royals. The altar heads served as a spiritual link between royal ancestors and the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom.
(W.D. Webster [1863-1913], England); Pitt-Rivers Museum, Farnham, Dorset, England; Charles Alfred Marius Ratton [1895-1986] Paris, France; (Papa Diop [1948-2012], Los Angeles, CA and Robert Jones, Indianapolis) (1) sold on December 14, 1977 to Harrison Eitlejorg [1903-1997] of Indianapolis; donated to the IMA 1989; (1) Robert Jones also sold under the name Robert Fitzgerald
HIST1980.6; Exhibition Prior to IMA Acquisition
Title: Selections from the Harrison Eiteljorg Collection of Arfican Art
Start Date: 1980
End Date: 1980
HIST1980.5; Exhibition Prior to IMA Acquisition
Title: Royal Benin,
Start Date: 1980
End Date: 1980