William Downing Webster (1868-1913) was a well-known British ethnographica dealer from whom almost all major ethnographic collections in Great Britain and continental Europe acquired Benin pieces. In addition to a donation, the MARKK’s Benin collection today contains twelve objects that were purchased from Webster in 1900/1901.
Gegenstand mit Schlangendarstellung
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria,
19. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von W. D. Webster, 1900, Inv. Nr. C 2872
Über solche in mehreren Museumssammlungen erhaltenen Objekte ist nichts bekannt. Im ersten Museumsinventar wurde es als
„rätselhafter Gegenstand aus Bronze“ bezeichnet.
Label Text (eng)
Object with Snake
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 19th century / Brass / Acquired from W. D. Webster, 1900, Inv. no. C 2872
Nothing is known about these kinds of objects, a number of which are preserved in museum collections. The initial museum inventory described it as “enigmatic object made of bronze”.