Bronze cock which did not come into existence until after the introduction of the Iy’ọba title by Ọba Esigie. The first Iy’Ọba was Idia, and the Iy’ọba title is considered to be the greatest achievement of a Benin woman. It has spiritual significance and is placed at the altar of the Iy’ọba after her death. The Iy’ọba is referred to Ọkpa n’ Uselu (Ọkpa being a shortened version of Ọkporhu).
Bronze cock from Benin. No. 188 in the sale catalogue where it is described as follows: "A VERY FINE BENIN BRONZE FIGURE OF A COCK standing with well-serrated comb and wattles, the neck, saddle and tail hackles unusually depicted and engraved as also are the wing, bays and sickle tail feathers. The bird is well spurred and stands on a typical rectangular base engraved and bordered with strap-work. 20".
Ladislas Segy in African Sculpture Speaks, illustrates a very similar cock, fig.94. See also the Pitt-Rivers Catalogue, op.cit., pl. XXIV, fig. 144, and a similar figure in the British Museum."
Purchases by the Nigerian Government at a sale by Messrs. Sotheby & Co. Bond Street, London on December 7th, 1953: Mr. W. B. Fagg assistant keeper, British Museum acted for the Nigerian Government at the sale.