18th century, comissioned from the Royal Ivory-sculptors Guild (Igbesanmwan) 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; [...]; ca. 1900 Arnold Ridyard (?) (collector and engineer Elder Dempster & Co) or George William Neville (?) (agent Elder Dempster & Co); until 1908, Willaim John Davey (?) (manager Elder Dempster & Co.); until 1928, Lydia Davey (?); until 1946, Harold Davey (?); until 1962 Florence E. Davey; 1962 Sothebys's London; from 1962, Kenneth John Hewett (dealer, London); until 1993, Ernst Winizki (dealer); 1993, purchased by Museum Rietberg Zürich