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.
Pendant mask; hip ornament; lost-wax cast in brass. In form of human face with openwork triangular beaded headdress and beaded udaeha band across forehead. Three scarification marks above each eye; pupils inlaid with iron nails; triangular panel along nose inlaid with cross-hatched metal, possibly iron. Projecting decorative flange around lower face has stylised mudfish riveted to base; small suspension loops below. 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. ~Read & Dalton 1899: Brass mask, wearing a triangular headdress with open trellis-work and three groups of beads. Below this is a band of beads, and round the lower part a fringe of cat-fish, some of which are held in position by nails. Down the nose runs a broad line inlaid in iron and cross-hatched. Over each eye are three cicatrices, and the pupils of the eyes are inlaid with iron nails. The pupil of one eye is of white metal, that of the other eye of copper. Mask similar to Af,1897.528a, but with triangular head-dress not in openwork, and instead of a ruff a fringe of cat-fish, some of which are held in position by nails.