Edo. Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ), 18th century (possibly). Copper alloy, iron, 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 1994.143. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.143_SL1.jpg)
Edo. Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ), 18th century (possibly). Copper alloy, iron, 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 1994.143. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.1994.143_front.jpg)
Edo. Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ), 18th century (possibly). Copper alloy, iron, 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 1994.143. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , CUR.1994.143_back.jpg)
Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ)
Arts of Africa
Benin court officials have long worn a variety of brass ornaments as part of their elaborate regalia for ceremonial occasions. Such ornaments were worn on the left hip, covering the closure of a wrapped skirt. The three metal scarification marks on either side of the forehead identify the individual portrayed as a royal Edo man. Similar items of regalia are worn by Benin court officials today.
CULTURE
Edo
MEDIUM
Copper alloy, iron
DATES
18th century (possibly)
DIMENSIONS
6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm) (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
faint evidence of a number in white along the PR side of the base, possibly "B60(?).8.513"
COLLECTIONS
Arts of Africa
ACCESSION NUMBER
1994.143
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Beatrice Riese
PROVENANCE
Prior to 1965, provenance not yet documented; by 1965, reportedly acquired by John Hewitt of London, United Kingdom; by 1965, acquired by Merton D. Simpson Gallery, New York, NY; 1965, purchased and traded for by Beatrice Riese of New York, NY; 1994, gift of Beatrice Riese to the Brooklyn Museum.
Provenance FAQ
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Human face with ornate adornments. Semi-circular "crown" extends above forehead with lattice-like area and three 5-lobed decorations at center. Small, globular forms around edge. At forehead, five strands of "beads." Above each eye, three vertical incised lines. Band of incised lines from center of brow to tip of nose. Seven strands of beads represented around lower edge of face. Extending from beaded strands, series of conical projections, resembling ruffled collar; loops attached to each flaring element. Five small, figure-eight shaped wires attached to loops.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Edo. Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ), 18th century (possibly). Copper alloy, iron, 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 1994.143. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.143_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1994.143_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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