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.
Head; part of an equestrian figure, lost-wax cast in brass. Figure wears elaborate tiered headdress decorated with feathers and beads secured wiht a strap under the chin. Figure has cat's whisker facial scarifications at corners of mouth.
This is the head of an equestrian figure which is in the collections of the Ethnographic Museum at the University of Zurich. The figure was acquired by the Museum from the collector Han Corey (1880-1974). See Collection File: Af1897-526. Unclear when the head and body were separated. This head was recorded with line drawings upon acquisition by the Museum in June 1897 as a separate piece (see Slip and Christy Register 97-526).