Object ID
96-1-2
English designations
Staff of Office
Categories
Ceremonial Objects
Staffs
Location
21 Prospect St, Providence, RI 02912, United States
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Staff of Office
Staff of Office

Iconographies

3 annotations
Colar Bead
Odigba
Coral beaded collar

Odigba (coral-beaded collar) is a rigid neck collar made of coral beads, worn as part of ceremonial attire only by senior princes who have been made Enigie (Inneh 2007, p. 107). Although Ibafe (2007, p. 43) argued that the Odigba was introduced during the Ogiso period (c. 900–c. 1170 AD) by Ogiso Ere, along with other symbolically important Emwin Arhe, such as the Ada (ceremonial sword) and the Ẹbẹn (ceremonial sword), this seems unlikely, as coral was only introduced in the late 15th century through trade with Portuguese merchants.

1 annotation
Odigba
Ẹbẹn
Ceremonial Sword

Ẹbẹn are a type of ceremonial sword of significant importance in the Benin Kingdom. During ceremonies, titled chiefs would hold them or toss them during dances, thereby paying homage to the Ọba at these public events, particularly when a chief receives a certain status. It is forbidden for Ẹbẹn to touch the ground, so the chief must take extra precautions to avoid dropping the Ẹbẹn during the dance. Therefore, the Okae-Odionmwan (head of executioners) dances with the Umozo (warfare or executioner’s sword) behind the dancing chief.

There are two central ceremonial swords used in the royal court of the Benin Kingdom, one of which is the Ẹbẹn, along with the Ada (ceremonial swords). They are distinguished by their blades: the Ẹbẹn blade reflects the shape of a leaf or an oar. Sometimes, it is decorated with openwork designs and/or brass inlays, most commonly shaped as small Ẹbẹn and Ẹkpẹn (leopards). The handle of the Ẹbẹn also has an unusual ring-shaped form, which further differentiates it from the Ada.

1 annotation
Ẹbẹn
Ikharo
Forehead markings

Ikharo are linear keloid markings depicted on the forehead of Uhunmwu-Elao (commemorative heads) in groups of three or four above each eye. The exact meaning of Ikharo is debated; some have argued that they relate to the gender or tribal identification of the person on whom they are depicted. For example, has argued that they were worn only by men; however, their use in depictions is not consistent with this, and the Iy’Ọba are also shown wearing them. argued that they are instead a stylistic feature employed by artists that varied over time.

The naming of these markings differs between publications. For example, describe these markings as “agbaguda n'ehae”, which they write translates literally as “blades of the forehead”. However, later went on to call these “ikharo”, as used here. referred to these forehead markings as ikharo, meaning “tribal mark [of eye]”.

1 annotation
Ikharo

Provenance

4 events
Production
unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)
The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn guild in Benin City.
Looted
February 22, 1897 (day approximate) to June 1899 (year approximate)
The object was looted by Unknown member of the British colonial military campaign on Benin - February 1897 from Benin Kingdom.
Unknown
1960 (approximate) to 1996
The object is known to have come into contact with William W. Brill, later in New York City.
Gift
1996
The object was given as a gift by William W. Brill to the HMA, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University from New York City to Providence.

Institution data

HMA, Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology at Brown University
The data was transferred directly by the institution.
Last updated: 2021-12-10
Language: english
Institution fieldValue
Object ID
object id
96-1-2
Description
description
Handle of a ritual staff/sword "blade missing". Openwork handle with two janus figures of chiefs or princes, each holding implements of authority. The top figure holds a staff and a state sword and the bottom figure holds a bird of prophecy scepter idiophone.
Materials
material
bronze
Dimensions
dimensions
34.29 L cm (13 1/2 L in) actual
Item
object type
handle; staff
Date
date made
Made: 18th–19th century
Techniques
production technique
lost wax cast
Geo Locality
production place
Nigeria (nation); Benin City (inhabited place)
Object Credit Line
prior source
Gift of William W. Brill
Sources
provenance
Constituent: William W. Brill, New York
People
ethnic attribution
Bini; Edo
Sensitive Content

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