17th/18th century, commissioned from the Royal Bronze-casting Guild (Igun Eronmwon) by the Royal Palace of Benin; by descent to Oba Ovonramwen (Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, b. about 1857 - d. about 1914; r. 1888 - 1897); 1897, looted from the Royal Palace during the British military occupation of Benin; [...]; 1st July 1902 purchased by William D. Webster (dealer, London) at J.C Stevens Auction House (London) for £1.17.0 (reg. no 14356); date unknown, purchased by Hans Meyer (dealer, Leipzig) for £7.10; ca. 1930-1955, Ernst Heinrich, Stuttgart; 1960s-2009, daughter of Ernst Heinrich, USA; 2009, Leod and Mia van Bussel (dealers, Amsterdam); 2010-2011, Jacques Germain (dealer, Montreal); 2011 purchased by the Museum Rietberg with funds from Regula Brunner-Vontobel