John Lembcke (1873-?) originally came from Mecklenburg and was a Hamburg merchant. He worked as an agent for the trading company L. Pagenstecher & Co. in southern Nigeria. The company maintained several branches in Cameroon and Nigeria and traded raw rubber, among other things.Lembcke was probably employed at a branch of the firm in Warri, from where he went to nearby Benin City. There, he found objects which he eventually brought to Hamburg. Between 1899 and 1905, he sold 40 objects from the Kingdom of Benin to the museum.
Anhänger mit königlicher Triade
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von John Lembcke, 1899, Inv. Nr. C 2391
Anhänger mit Triadendarstellung wurden früher zu je drei Stück vom Oba und von bestimmten Würdenträgern um die Körpermitte getragen. Die kleinen Ösen entlang der Ränder hielten Kettchen mit Schellen. Auf der Brust des Oba in der Mitte der Dreiheit ist die große Königsperle sichtbar, ein Symbol
seiner Herrschaft.
Label Text (eng)
Pendant with Royal Triad
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Brass / Acquired from John Lembcke, 1899, Inv. no. C 2391
Pendants with a royal triad
were once worn in groups of three around the waist by the Oba
and certain dignitaries. The small loops along the edges held chains of crotals. The Oba in the middle of the trinity
is distinguished by the large king’s bead, a signifier of his supremacy.