Carl Hoppe was from Altona and worked in Hamburg as an ethnographica and antiquities dealer. From 1901 onwards, he sold several hundred ethnographic objects from all over the world to the Museum für Völkerkunde (today MARKK), although he sold only one object from the Kingdom of Benin to the MARKK 1902. The objects were presumably acquired primarily through intermediaries in the port of Hamburg.
Hüftmaske mit Kopf eines Oba
Unbekannte Werkstatt der Bronzegießergilde Igun Eronmwon / Königreich Benin, Nigeria, 18. Jh. / Gelbguss / Ankauf von Carl Hoppe, 1902, Inv. Nr. C 3394
Die Maske zeigt die Perlenkrone und den hohen Perlenkragen Odigba, der dem Oba und hohen Würdenträgern vorbehalten ist. Oberhalb der Augen sind jeweils drei Schmucknarben Ikaro abgebildet. Solche Masken werden von hochrangigen Chiefs an der linken Hüfte getragen.
Label Text (eng)
Hip Mask with Head of an Oba
Unidentified workshop of the Bronze Casters Guild Igun Eronmwon / Benin Kingdom, Nigeria, 18th century / Brass / Acquired from Carl Hoppe, 1902, Inv. no. C 3394
The mask shows the beaded crown and the high coral collar Odigba, which is reserved for the Oba and high dignitaries. Above each of the eyes, three scarification ornaments Ikaro are visible.
Such masks are worn by highranking chiefs on the left hip.