The ownership of this object was transferred to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in November 2022.
A carved ivory cuff (ikoro). Benin City. 16th Century. The cuff is decorated with depictions of Portuguese and Bini traders in rows of three, the former identified by long heads and facial hair, and round caps. Cuffs like these were worn by Obas during ceremonial occasions, and this example is likely to have signalled the Oba's cosmopolitan connections and wealth. Made by Igbesanmwan guildmembers (ivory and wood carvers).
Edo 'kings' or Obas wore ivory armlets and bracelets at ceremonies. This armlet is decorated with the carved heads of Portuguese traders with long noses, flowing hair and beards, which probably signalled the Oba's access to foreign sources of wealth and power. Like brass and coral, ivory does not decay easily in the tropical environment and so was used in Edo royal regalia to emphasise the permanence and continuity of the ruling dynasty.
