G.72.2.4

[Reinstallation, installed 2017]: The two hands carved in relief near the bottom of this object refer both physically and metaphorically to the labor necessary to gain wealth and prosperity. Successful individuals in Benin would honor and celebrate accomplishments by creating a personal shrine and altar. The king, or oba, and his highest officials would commission bronze-casted altars, whereas wooden altars like this were used by chiefs. The central figure directly faces the viewer. He wears a band of beads across his chest and a wrapper about his waist. In his left hand, he carries an eben, a type of ceremonial sword, while his right arm is supported by an attendant. Two chests on either side of the central figure are references to his material wealth. These objects and gestures suggest the central figure is a chief, a man of wealth and power. The projection at the top once supported an ivory tusk, another reference to the chief’s wealth. OLD LABEL TEXT: In the Benin Kingdom, the Cult of the Hand celebrates success achieved through the work of one’s own hands. Its devotees have acquired great wealth or success as leaders, hunters, warriors, farmers, or craftsmen. This cylindrical altar would have been placed on a platform in the home, and the central figure of the altar likely represents its owner. The wooden spike may have supported an ivory tusk. Two padlocked chests indicate his wealth, and several portrayals of a clenched hand give concrete form to the object of worship.

Wood and kaolin

17 1/2 x 20 3/4 x 14 in. (44.5 x 52.7 x 35.6 cm)

Sculpture

Lettered on bottom of top sections: "BENIN.W.AFRICA-WBSTR 1899"

before 1897

Edo artist

Gift of the James G. Hanes Memorial Fund

Created in the Kingdom of Benin (present-day Nigeria), 19th century; Looted by British officer or soldier during Raid on Benin City (Feb. 9-18, 1897); acquired by William Downing Webster (1868-1913), London between 1897 and 1899; sold to Gen. Augustus Pitt-Rivers (1827-1900) by 1900 at Naval Auction from British Punitive Expedition, 1897; acquired by James G. Hanes before 1972; gifted to the NCMA, 1972

Edo; Benin Kingdom, present-day Nigeria

African

Gift

Lettered of bottom of top section: "BENIN.W.AFRICA-WBSTR 1899" Sieber, 4/80 Ben-Amos, 3/81 A. Wardwell, 4/15/84 Negative nos. and descriptions: 7082: bottom of top section - "BENIN.W.AFRICA-WBSTR 1899" 6826: detail of figure on bottom section 6827: detail of top section (Note: there is also a detail blow up of this negative in the photograph drawer in the library) 6828: full front view of altar (with both sections) Allen Wardwell, 2/8/84: African, Nigeria, Benin. Shrine of the Hand (Ikegobo). I hadn't realized this was a Webster piece, and it should be kept for that reason. It is late for Benin, and I would say certainly 19th century. Rates a (2) on the basis of historical connection. (Wardwell, 4/15/84) OLD LABEL TEXT (Replaced 2010) Worship of the hand celebrates success achieved through the work of one's own hands. Devotees of the hand are those who already have acquired great wealth or success as hunters, warriors, farmers, or craftsmen. This cylindrical altar with its semicircular stand was placed on a polished and whitened mud platform in the home of a Benin chief. The wooden spike on top may have supported an ivory tusk. The figure in the center of the cylindrical altar probably represents the chief to whom it belonged. Two padlocked chests beside him indicate his wealth. Notice several portrayals of a hand with clinched fist and extended thumb

Winston-Salem, NC, Diggs Gallery, Winston-Salem State University, "Through African Eyes: The Rhythm of African Life and Art," October 5-December 16, 1990, cat. pp. 77-78.

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"Acquisitions," North Carolina Museum of Art Bulletin 12, nos. 1 and 2 (December 1973), mentioned 10, listed 48, illus. (b-w) 11, (b-w detail) 49. Edgar Peters Bowron, ed., Introduction to the Collections (Chapel Hill: Published for the North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, by The University of North Carolina Press, 1983), illus. (b-w) 74. "Antique Works of Art from Benin." Collection of Lt. Gen. Pitt-Rivers (printed privately, 1900), illus. 87.

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72_2_4.JPG

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North Carolina Museum of Art

G.72.2.4

Altar to the Hand (ikegobo)

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