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 with openwork beaded headdress and beaded udaeha band across forehead. Three scarification marks above each eye; pupils inlaid with iron nails. Projecting fluted flange around lower face. 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: Mask 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.