Ẹroro

Aken'ni Elao

Osogan

Uhunmwu elao ọghe Iy’ọba 

Ẹkpẹtin

Uhunmwu-Elao

Okpia

Ikpin

Uhẹnhẹn/Ekuyẹ

Emwiegbe

Ighẹghan

Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ

Ebẹn

Akohẹn/Oko

Anwa/Akpoka

Ẹgba

Agba

Urhotọ

Ahianmwẹ-Ọrọ

Ọkporhu

Asoro

Urhukpa-Ẹvbi

Ikoro

Akhẹ

Akhẹ Osun

Iy’Ọba

Oroka

Iyeọkhọkhọ

Onwọ

Ẹgogo

Ivin

Ukpu

Ẹkan

Ẹzuzu

Ewua

Isanrẹn

Osisi/Etu

Igho

Ugbudian

Ẹkpo

Ukhurhẹ

Umozo/Ọhọ

Agbada

Ughegbe

Oyiya

Azuwa

Ivbiotọ

Ukeke

Okhuo

Ẹkpẹn

Akhẹ Amẹ

Uzokpo

Ako-Ọpia

Ivie

Akhiọn/Ukoko

Ikẹgobọ

Emwiurhu

Ikpotoki

Idẹnrhẹn

Elubasẹ/Isevbere

Ufere

Ibierugha

Isẹ

Ikpakohen

Ẹrhẹ

Asologun

Asigbe

Ughavan

Ẹkpẹde

Uhanbọ

Asẹbẹrhia 

Ukpọn

Ọkpan

Ẹkpoki

Aro Ododua

Eseiku

Ekọrọkọrọ

Ọba

Ẹrhu

Akpata

Okhua'ẹ

Umọmọ

Ugbẹkun

Uman-ague/Ugbugbe

Ukhuerhe

Uko Ẹkhaẹ

Unwẹnrhiẹn/Unwẹnrhiẹnọtan

Ifẹnmwẹ

Ovazẹ

Ẹguẹn

Okhiẹ

Bell

Relief Plaque

Fragment

Altar Tusk

Osun Staff

Commemorative Queen Mother Head

Commemorative Head

Stand

Male Figure

Roof Figure

Snake Figure

Spoon

Charm

Crotal Bell

Figure Group

Staff of Office

Pendant Mask

Pendant Plaque

Ceremonial Sword

Horn or Flute

Tong

Bracelet

Carved Wooden Panel

Stool

Horse Rider Figure

Altar Tableau

Bird of Prophecy Staff

Hornmount

Rooster Figure 

Spear

Shield

Lamp

Udo-Style Head

Armcuff

Ceremonial Paddle

Queen Mother Figure

Finger Ring

Crucible

Hen Figure

Wax Model

Mould

Drum

Gong

Carved Coconut Vessel

Cup 

Bead

Ewua Messenger Figure

Horn

Firearm

Manilla

Flywhisk

Bird of Prophecy Figure

Ancestral Staff 

Executioners or Warfare Sword

Knife and Dagger

Flask

Mirror

Comb

Hair Ornament

Trophy Head

Ornament

Striker

Female Figure

Leopard Figure

Aquamanile

Lidded bowl

Sheath

Smoking Pipe

Weaving Accessory

Altar of the Hand

Neck Ornament

Portuguese Figure

Key Hook

Anklet

Whistle

Attendant Figure

Staff Finial

Game

Hornblower or Fluteplayer Figure

Chair

Disc

Ewer

Lamellophone

Bolt

Celt (Thunderbolt/Thunderaxe)

Crossbow

Fiddle and Bow

Altar Ring

Clothing

Bowl

Udo-Style Figure

Odudua Mask

Salt Cellar

In Edo language, the word Uko means a kind of container used for different articles. This best relates to the term ‘flask’ in English.

Many flasks are part of the Benin holdings in various collections. There are two types of flasks. The first group is the most common – the containers are distinguished by their globular gourd-shaped bodies and small tube-like openings. Small lugs are often seen on the outer surface, and in several cases chains are still attached. Smaller versions may have been attached as pendants to other objects such as pendant plaques or neck ornaments. A second type are cast in the form of kneeling or sitting human figures. Some have argued that this is a woman (e.g. Plankensteiner, 2007

), although others have said it is a wealthy chief (Enotie Ogbebor in Plankensteiner, 2022, p.146

There is no consensus on the function of flasks, and indeed different flasks likely had different uses. Some have argued they may have stored powders such as gunpowder. However, a number likely contained medicinal substances and may have been used by priests, while small flasks were likely worn by individuals as charms for protection.

Flasks are also depicted on other objects, such as altars to the hand and altar tableaux, illustrating their importance.