"A MAGNIFICENT OLD BENIN IVORY TUSK, the whole carved in relief in numerous figures of chiefs, warriors, alligators, cat fish, etc., 6ft high, on wood stand. This was the god in the Ju-Juhouse for which human sacrifice was made, and over which blood was poured"
summary of curatorial notes archival research thus far summer 2021notes
The first information we have about this object comes from Foster's catalog of sale July 16, 931 where it was sold as lot 97. Lots 72 to 1089 are listed as “the Property of a Gentleman who was a member of the Benin expedition" It is unclear who exactly carried the looted material away from Benin, and whose collection(s) it was in until 1931.
1897: Looted from Benin
1931 (July 16): Sold at Mess. Foster’s Auction [lot 97], listed under series of lots formerly belonging “the Property of a Gentleman who was a member of the Benin expedition to Sir Henry Wellcome Collection
1965: Gift of the Wellcome Trust to Fowler Museum (then Museum and Laboratories of Ethnic Arts and Technology)