During the British expeditionto Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, bronze, ivory, coral, and wood were looted by British soldiers from the royal palace, its storerooms, and compounds. Some of these objects were sold or exchanged in West Africa. However, many were brought to the UK where they were retained by soldiers of the expeditionand subsequently inherited by thier families; put up for auction; or donated, lent, or sold to museums. See Collection File: Af1897,-.498-563.
Hip ornament; lost-wax cast in brass. In form of human face depicted with openwork beaded headdress, beaded udaeha band across forehead and deep collar. Three scarification marks above each eye; pupils inlaid with iron nails. Projecting fluted collar has series of small suspension loops around outer border. Two loops at back for suspension.
Such hip ornaments are commissioned and worn by senior members of the men's associations based in the Oba's palace in Benin City. They are worn tied over a sash on the left hip. ~Hip ornament is burnt on one side probably as result of fire damage in Benin City following its capture by British troops in 1897.~Read & Dalton 1899: Pendent Ornament (?) in form of a human mask of brass, wearing a semi-circular headdress with open trellis-work and three groups of beads. Below this is a band of beads, and round the lower part a fringe like a European ruff edged with loops. Over each eye are three cicatrices, and the pupils of the eyes are inlaid with iron nails.