Brass casket with cover and suspending chain. Embossed with animal heads, lizards and a human head, which is positioned on the centre of the lid. [ZM 2/7/2004]
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 from Benin city, taken during the punitive expeditionunder Admiral Rawson, February, 1897... Brass casket with cover and suspending chain, very fine specimen covered with relief figures and chased work, brought by Dr. Felix Roth.; Card Catalogue entry: : There is no further information on the catalogue card. [CW 4 7 1997]
Research Notes: Related Documents File - Printout of e-mail to Jeremy Coote, dated 2 September 2000, in RDF. Tentatively dated to the 18th century on iconographic grounds by Paula Girshick (Ben-Amos). [JC 25 10 2000]
This kind of vessel is used at the important annual ceremony of Ugie Erha Oba, when the Oba's deceased father is honoured. During this ceremony the Oba taps the lid of the vessel four times, praying that he will sit firmly on the throne. [Information presumably taken from The Art of Benin, by Paula Ben-Amos, by LMM ?; JC 25 10 2000]