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.
Armring mit Kopfdarstellungen
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Kupfer, Messing / Ankauf von Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. Nr. C 2308
Schmale Armringe mit figürlichen Darstellungen waren üblicherweise im Besitz von Priestern und Würdenträgern. Manche wurden am Oberarm getragen und sollten Stärke verleihen, auch Armringen aus Eisen wurde kraftspendende Energie zugesprochen. Mit schlichteren Gelbgussarmringen schmückten sich sowohl Frauen als auch Männer. Manche bestechen durch die kunstvolle Kombination unterschiedlich farbiger Kupferlegierungen.
Label Text (eng)
Bracelet with Human Heads
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Brass / Acquired from Friedrich Erdmann, 1898, Inv. no. C 2308
Narrow arm rings with figural representations usually belonged to priests and dignitaries. Some were worn on the upper arm and were believed to provide strength, arm rings from iron were also associated with powerful energy. Both women and men adorned themselves with simpler brass bracelets, some of which captivate with their artful combination of different colored copper alloys.