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.
Altarglocke mit menschlichem Gesicht
Unbekannte Bronzegießerwerkstatt / Niger Delta, Königreich Benin (?), Küstenregion (?), Nigeria, 18./19. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. Nr. C 2306
Glocken in diesem Stil werden aktuellen Forschungserkenntnissen und dokumentierten Erwerbsorten zufolge der Küstenregion zugeordnet und entsprechen nicht dem höfischen Stil Benins. In der gesamten Küstenregion sind Glocken Bestandteil der Insignien von politischen und religiösen Oberhäuptern und werden zumeist auf Altären aufbewahrt. Ihr Klang spielt eine wichtige Rolle in Zeremonien.
Label Text (eng)
Altar Bell with Human Face
Unidentified brass casting workshop / Niger Delta, Benin Kingdom (?), coastal region (?), Nigeria, 18th/19th century / Brass / Acquired from Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. no. C 2306
According to current research findings and documented sites of acquisition, bells in this style are assigned to the coastal region and do not correspond to
the courtly style of Benin. All along the Nigerian coast and its hinterland, bells are part of the regalia of political and religious leaders and are mostly kept on altars. Their sound plays an important role in ceremonies.