Oskar Meyer (1873-1914) was a Hamburg merchant and locally active in Nigeria and Southern Cameroon, where he presumably ran a plantation in Ebolowa. Meyer, apparently through contacts with a chief, assembled a collection of pieces from the Kingdom of Benin and presumably sold them to various buyers and other intermediaries. In 1902, he sold two Benin objects to the MARKK.
Reliefplatte mit Krokodilkopf
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 16./17. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von Oskar Meyer, 1902, Inv. Nr. C 3345
Edo kennen zwei Arten von Krokodilen. Die größeren gelten als gefährliche Geschöpfe und Kämpfer des Meeresgottes Olokun. Sie werden fallweise während der Initiation von OlokunAnhängern geopfert, dienen aber meist als Opfergaben an Altären der Hand. Reliefs mit Krokodilköpfen bilden wohl Opfergaben ab, da die Köpfe zum Gedenken an das Erbetene auf Altären liegengelassen werden.
Label Text (eng)
Relief Plaque with Head of a Crocodile
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 16th/17th century / Brass / Acquired from Oskar Meyer, 1902, Inv. no. C 3345
Edo people recognize two types of crocodiles. The larger ones are considered dangerous creatures and sometimes called soldiers of the sea god Olokun. They can be sacrificed during initiations
of Olokun devotees, but generally are offered to Altars of the Hand. Reliefs showing crocodile heads probably reflect offerings, as the heads are left on altars as remembrance of what was requested and the associated prayer.