Provenance

4 events

Production

unknown to February 22, 1897 (day approximate)

The object was produced by Unknown member(s) of the Igbesamwan guild in Benin City.

Unknown

October 1993

The object is known to have come into contact with Charles B. Davis, in Nigeria.

Purchase

April 1994

The object was purchased by Bertha & William Teel from Charles B. Davis and Davis Gallery from New Orleans to Marblehead.

Bequest

February 26, 2014

The object was bequeathed by Bertha & William Teel to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston from Marblehead to Boston.

Institution data

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The data was transferred directly by the institution.

Last updated: 2022-03-03

Language: english

Institution field	Value
ObjectNumber object id	2014.325
Title designation	Hip mask
Description description
WebDescription description	This ivory leopard head is an ornament that would have been worn at the left hip, hiding the knot of a senior courtier's wrapper. The animal's piercing gaze is underscored by the bronze pupils. These inlaid bronze circles also create the appearance of leopard spots. The Oba, or king, of Benin supported two royal guilds of artists. One worked in ivory and wood, and the other was responsible for bronze-casting. This object may have required collaboration from artists in each guild. The leopard motif refers to the Oba, who is often compared to a leopard, the king of the forest.
Medium/Technique material	Ivory, copper, and ebony
Dimensions dimensions	16.51 cm (6 1/2 in.)
Classification object type	Jewelry / Adornment
DateBegin date made	1900
DateEnd date made	1999
DateLabel date made	20th century
Artist/Maker producer	By: Royal Ivory-workers Guild (Igbesanmwan) (Nigerian)
Geography production place	Object Place: Nigeria
CreditLine prior source	Bequest of William E. Teel
Provenance provenance	October 1993, collected in Nigeria and acquired by Charles Davis, Davis Gallery, New Orleans; April, 1994, sold by Davis to William and Bertha Teel, Marblehead, MA; 2014, bequest of William Teel to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 26, 2014)
Culture ethnic attribution	Edo, Benin kingdom, Nigeria
AccessionDate accession date	2/26/14

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