Friedrich Erdmann (1866-presumably 1907) was a merchant from Hamburg and worked as a managing director for the trading company Bey & Zimmer in Lagos, Warri and Sapele in southern Nigeria. Erdmann is known to have visited Benin City after it was conquered by British troops, taking the artefacts that remained there to sell with the permission of the British military, as well as photographing the area. Erdmann was one of the key figures in Bey’s Benin business, selling a total of 13 objects from the Kingdom of Benin to the museum in 1898. His widow, Alma, corresponded with Felix von Luschan (1854–1924) in Berlin, and later sold objects from her husband’s collection. His son Kurt (1901–1964) was an art historian; he also sold pieces from his father’s estate.
Reliefplatte mit Ooton
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. Nr. C 2303
Diese Reliefplatte zeigt das Oberhaupt der Ooton-Gilde, deren Mitglieder unter den Nachkommen früherer Herrscher von Benin ausgewählt werden. Sie unterstehen dem Hohepriester Osuan. Die linke Hand des Ooton ruht auf einer Ausbuchtung auf seiner Brust. Dort soll er den Unterkiefer eines verstorbenen lyase verbergen, dem Obersten der städtischen Titelträger, die als Opposition zum Hof die Anliegen des Volkes vertraten.
Label Text (eng)
Relief Plaque with Ooton
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Brass / Acquired from Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. no. C 2303
This plaque shows the leader of the Ooton guild, whose members are selected among the descendants of former rulers of Benin. They report to the high priest Osuan. The left hand of this Ooton rests on a bulge on his chest that presumably conceals the lower jaw of a deceased lyase, the head of the town chiefs who represented concerns of the people in opposition to the court.