Iconographies

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Ada

Ceremonial sword

See Ada page

The Ada is a symbol of authority usually borne in the presence of the Ọba by a designated holder, the Omada, which translates as ‘Ada bearer’. The Ọba has almost exclusive rights to the use of the Ada, except when he permits titled chiefs, such as the Oliha, to possess one. During the Ogiso period, predating the current Ọba dynasty, the Ada is said to have been a symbol of ancestral power, with the ability to control the future (Ben-Amos 1995, p. 25). The Ada is ranked higher than the Ẹbẹn, another symbolically important ceremonial sword.

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Provenance

4 events

Production

1500 (year approximate) 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

1964 to 1976

The object is known to have come into contact with Emile Deletaille, later in City of Brussels.

Purchase

1976

The object was purchased by the MIM Musical Instrument Museum from Emile Deletaille in City of Brussels.

Institution data

MIM Musical Instrument Museum

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2021-03-05

Language: english

Institution field	Value
Object number object id	1976.038-08
Object name designation	Bell
Notes description	cf. MART2013,69: [Bell,] Edo (regne de Benin) & Ijebu, Nigéria: Carried by influential individuals from the political sphere, figurative bells such as these were cast in the lost wax technique. More than just an instrument, it is an attribute and emblem of royal power. Because of its tone, heard over all other instruments, and the stable, solid character of the material it is made from - qualities associated with a dominant, Bronzen klok met op de de wand een gelaat tot net onder de mond in half reliëf. Boven op de klok staat een klein hakmes onderaan omwikkeling. Binnenin resten van een metalen haakje. Zonder klepel.
Mat./Tech. material	Material : Bronze
Dimensions dimensions	Dimensions H x W x D: 15.5 cm; Diameter: 7 cm
From…To date made	before 1976
Object History prior source	Museum acquisition, Emile Deletaille Vendeur, Purchase, 1976
Author/Culture ethnic attribution	Edo/Bini, Bevolking; Unknown Edo/Bini, Bouwer
Depository department and institution	Collection Musical Instruments, Musée des Instruments de Musique
Owner legal status	Royal Museums of Art and History
CC-Licence license	CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Classifications	111.242.122 (Individual) clapper bells
Geo. Ref.	Production place : Nigeria

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