COLLECTION NAME:
The AMICA Library
Record
AMICA ID:
AIC_.1976.523
AMICA Library Year:
1998
Object Type:
Sculpture
Creator:
Nigeria, (Court of Benin) Edo
Creator Name:
Unknown
Creator Nationality:
African; West African; Nigerian; Edo
Creator Dates/Places:
Africa, Nigeria//Africa, West Africa, Benin, Southern Nigeria (SL) Africa,West Africa,Nigeria
Creator Name-CRT:
Edo
Title:
Royal Altar Tusk
Title Type:
preferred
View:
full view
Creation Date:
1850/1888
Creation Start Date:
1850
Creation End Date:
1888
Materials and Techniques:
Ivory
Classification Term:
Ivory
Subject Description:
Elephant tusk with incised animal and human motifs. Bottom register: Oba Ewuare represented wearing cross, flanked by two Portuguese. Leopard head at proper left. Second register: Oba Ewuare wearing royal coral regalia, represented holding mudfish, flanked by two attendants; man wrestling with viper on proper right; elephant head with fist at end of trunk at proper left; leopard above Oba's head . Third register: Oba wearing royal coral regalia and hip pendants, flanked by two other Obas wearing regalia and attendants. Fourth register: Oba wearing royal coral regalia holding staff and eben, flanked by two attendants; elephant with trunk-hand on proper left. Fifth register: Oba depicted with mudfish legs, wearing royal coral regalia with belt that terminates in serpents eating frogs; holding eben and staff. Flanked by two female attendants. Sixth register: Warrior Oba wearing coral over armor, iron helmet, and iron mesh coat, holding staff and eben; flanked by two warrior attendants. Mudfish on proper left. Serpent eating frogs above Oba's head. Seventh register: Oba depicted with mudfish legs, wearing royal coral regalia with belt that terminates in vipers eating frogs; holding crocodiles. Flanked by a female attendant at proper right and an executioner priest on proper left. Eighth register: Royal official depicted carrying ceremonial container; flanked by two Portuguese. Ninth register: Royal official carrying ceremonial wands; leopard at proper right.
Creation Place:
Africa,West Africa,Nigeria,Kingdom of Benin
Dimensions:
H: 59 1/4 in. (150.5 cm); L: 77 in. (195.6 cm); D: 5 in. (12.7 cm)
AMICA Contributor:
The Art Institute of Chicago
Owner Location:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
ID Number:
1976.523
Credit Line:
The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Hokin.
Related Image Identifier Link:
AIC_.E31554.TIF
