mask; pectoral mask

The ownership of this object was transferred to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in November 2022.

A pendant mask (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ). Benin City. It depicts a face with what appears to be a collar. The face is depicted wearing a coral bead headdress, typically worn by the Oba. Made by Igun Eronmwon guildmembers (bronze and brass casters).

Chiefs still wear masks like this on the left hip as costume ornaments at palace ceremonies. They are part of the insignia of chieftaincy. The face is depicted wearing a coral bead headdress, typically worn by the Oba.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
99.237
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 180 mm x 130 mm x 50 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; copper alloy
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
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Collection Information

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