Fritz Lüttge was active as a representative of the Hamburg trading company Bey & Zimmer in Sapele, West Africa. Lüttige had become aware of the business with works of art from the Kingdom of Benin through Friedrich Erdmann. In 1901 Lüttige sold three Benin objects to the museum. Later his widow also sold objects, which had been part of her husband’s collection.
Deckelgefäß in Form eines Antilopenkopfes
Unbekannter Omada-Künstler, Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Holz, Messingnägel / Ankauf von Fritz Lüttge, 1901, Inv. Nr. C 2939
Antilopenkopfgefäße sind Prestigeobjekte, die zum Anbieten von Kolanüssen verwendet wurden. In der Regel waren sie aus Holz, Versionen aus Elfenbein gehörten vermutlich dem König. Der Tradition entsprechend werden beim Empfang von Gästen Kolanüsse angeboten. Diese werden in Stücke gebrochen und gemäß dem Rang der Anwesenden verteilt; anschließend werden segnende Worte ausgesprochen.
Label Text (eng)
Lidded Box in the Shape of an Antelope Head
Unidentified Omada artist, Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Wood, brass nails / Acquired from Fritz Lüttge, 1901, Inv. no. C 2939
Antelope head containers are prestige objects used to offer kola nuts. Usually they were made of wood, while ivory versions probably belonged to the king. It is an Edo tradition to offer kola nuts when receiving guests. Broken into pieces, the nuts are distributed according to the rank of those present, followed by words of blessing.