Heinrich Bey (c. 1846-1906) was a Hamburg merchant and owner of the export and import company “H. Bey & Co.”, as well as the subsidiary “Bey & Zimmer”. Both of which had branches in West Africa, from where so-called ‘colonial goods’ and commodities (e.g. palm hearts) were transported to Hamburg. The company, which at the time had its headquarters in Große Bäckerstraße (Hamburg’s historic district), played a central role in importing work of art from the Kingdom of Benin to Europe. After Bey’s death, his widow consigned two more pieces from her late husband’s estate in 1928. Heinrich Bey only sold one object from the Kingdom of Benin to the museum in 1903.
Fächer Ezuzu
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Lederverarbeiter Isekpokin / Königreich Benin, Nigeria,
19. Jh. / Leder, Holz / Ankauf von Frau Konsul Heinrich Bey, 1928, Inv. Nr. 28.28:4
Bei Palastzeremonien stehen Diener hinter dem König und den Würdenträgern und fächeln ihnen Kühle zu. Diese tragen häufig schwere Gewänder und Hüte, dürfen aber trotz der sengenden Hitze in der Öffentlichkeit nicht trinken. Die Fächer wurden von der Isekpokin-Gilde der Lederverarbeiter erzeugt. Diese kleineren Fächer gehörten wohl zur allgemeinen Haushaltsausstattung, während größere Beispiele rituell verwendet wurden und auf hohen Status verwiesen.
Label Text (eng)
Fans Ezuzu
Unidentified workshop of the Leather Workers Guild Isekpokin / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 19th century / Leather, wood / Acquired from Ms.
Konsul Heinrich Bey, 1928, Inv. no. 28.28:4
During palace ceremonies, servants stand behind the king and dignitaries and wave a fan to cool them. The latter often wear heavy robes and hats, but are not allowed to drink in public despite the scorching heat. The fans are produced by the Isekpokin guild of leatherworkers.
These smaller fans are rather general household items, while larger examples were used ritually and indicated high status.