Canterbury MuseumThe data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last Updated: 2021-12-07
Language: english
44/1899, EA1977.468, E94.14, E1523.0, 5037, 34391.1
Brief Descriptiondescription Ritual head representing an oba with vertical wings either side, for use on a royal altar. The base depicts examples of royal iconography including, leopard, cola nut, a severed cow's head, mudfish and an elephant, represented by a trunk. It is likely to date from c1817-1933
Measurement Reading primary system Y display onlydimensions 360mm, 270mm
Measurement Reading secondary system Y display onlydimensions 14 3/16", 10 5/8"
Measurement Type Y display onlydimensions Height, Diameter
Benin Bronze: Head of Oba (King)
Acquisition Notesprovenance Obtained during the looting of Benin City in February 1897 by British Punitive Expeditionunder Admiral Rawson. P64 Accession Book.
Ritual objects in the form of bronze heads were used on royal altars, where the Oba (King) offered periodic sacrifices to his ancestors. The altars contained animal figures and groups of human figures in the round and, most important of all, a number of bronze heads. Three types of head were used. Two of them almost life-size, one with a high pointed head-dress presumably representing a female, and the other with close-fitting rounded head-gear, a male. The third type is much larger than life-size and represents the Oba (King). Huge elephant tusks were fitted into the open top of the large heads and were at least partially supported by the vertical wing-like forms of the head. Both the large bronze heads and the tusks were entirely the prerogatives of the Oba. The tusks were completely carved in relief with representations and symbols of the oba in his dual role as King and diety. Dates from the early part of 19th century. "The Sculpture of Africa - Paul S Wingert. P34 Plate 41.
Cast by the lost wax method.
Related Outward Loanexhibition history Borrower: Canterbury School of Art; Start: 18 April 1962; Ends: Pre 2008; Current status: Objects Fully Returned
Documentation Articlebibliography Roger Fyfe and Sarah Murray. “Benin Art in Canterbury Museum”. Records of the Canterbury Museum. Vol 28, 2014. Pg 7- 30.
21 June 2021, 18 September 2020
Condition Keywordcondition 1 - Stable/Rating, 1 - Stable/Rating
House of Treasures CR out. SPR, see Current Condition Description, Condition reported for House of Treasures. See current condition description.
Condition Personcondition Alice English, Alice English
Current Condition Descriptioncondition Corrosion in low relief elements. Loose fibrous debris around bottom lip, not believed to belong to the object. Accretion lining interior, fissures identified in the accretion, stable, uncertain if they translate to the object. Fissure identified on exterior PR back of head, possibly historic or manufactured, stable.
Current Condition Personcondition Alice English
Image Publication Statusimages Has image(s)
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\\cm-fp4\vernon images\Collection Images\Catalogue Numbers\EA nos\EA1977.468 Bronze head profile.jpg
Paul Hobson, Jeanette Lea
26 June 2008, 26 July 2002
Old Accession Number, Catalogue Number, Old Catalogue Number, Old Catalogue Number, Other Number, Other Number