Wooden casket, overlaid with brass. Base [.1], lid [.2]. In the shape of a cow's or antelope's head. Both of these animals are used for sacrifices to the gods. Boxes like this are for kola nuts: they are owned by chiefs and used for ceremonial presentations to the Oba.
Card Catalogue entry: : There is no further information on the catalogue index cards. [CW 14 7 1997]; Accession book entry: : MISS MARY H. KINGSLEY. The following specimens chiefly collected by the late Miss Kingsley in W. Africa, were bequeathed by her to her brother Charles G. Kingsley, to be transferred to the Museum at his death. Mr. Kingsley generously surrendered his life interest in the specimens and presented them at once to the Museum, September 1900: The following bronzes [sic] from Benin city, taken during the punitive expeditionunder Admiral Rawson, February, 1897... Carved wooden bowl with cover, in form of an animal's head (?a cow), partly overlaid with brass.; Written on object: : [.1] - BENIN CITY, W. AFRICA Bequeathed by MISS M.H. KINGSLEY, 1900 [L.Ph 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 20/1/2005]