1900.39.7

Small brass mask representing a ram's head.

Material of original: Brass Metal; Material of original: Copper Metal

Height: max 200,00 mm

Keyword: Mask; Keyword: Ornament

1

Date made: 1897

Africa -> Western Africa -> Nigeria, Benin City

Field collector: Benin City Punitive Expedition, PRM source: Charles G. Kingsley

Other Owners, Mary Henrietta Kingsley

When collected:

-> Edo

Acquired: 1900

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 expedition under Admiral Rawson, February, 1897..... Bronze and copper relief masquette, ram's head.; Card Catalogue entry: : No further information on the catalogue index cards. [CW 14 7 1997]

Research Notes: Rams were frequently sacrificed to the ancestors and representations of their heads are found on the altars in ancestral shrines. Masks like this were symbols of leadership in Benin. They were worn by the Oba and the Edo chiefs and also sent to the Oba's vassal leaders as emblems of their authority. While the Oba and the Edo chiefs wore these masks attached to their belts, often on the left hip, vassal leaders wore them around their necks. [LM]

E

Class: Mask; Class: Ornament; Class: Insignia; Class: Religion

Object