Stands for tusks carved in Benin style.
Purchased by the Nigerian Government from private owners in Great Britain. From Mr. A. H. Dick, Radlett, Hertfordshire. Mr. Dick in a letter dated 11.11.54 wrote "Regarding the stands, I believe these were ordered by my father after je purchased the tusks and were manufactured by a craftsman in Newcastle. I have some hazy recollection that the wood used came from some excavations which took place on the banks of the Tyne, and was black, but I am not certain whether they were stained. I do not think the stands came from Nigeria but, as I say, were made by a local craftsman who copied the tusks. Regarding the date when they were purchased, I am afraid I do not know, but according to what I have been informed there were six of these tusks for sale, two were purchased by my uncle and taken to New York. The other two were, I think, purchased by a Museum in this country, at any rate this is the information which I was given by my mother many years ago. I understand the tusks were purchased at an auction."