Container
Royal Ivory-workers Guild (Igbesanmwan)
(Nigerian)
19th century
Medium/TechniqueIvory
DimensionsLength x width: 11.4 x 6.4 cm (4 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Credit LineRobert Owen Lehman Collection
Accession numberL-G 7.15.2012
On View
On viewClassificationsDecorative arts
Collections
ProvenanceMerton D. Simpson Gallery, New York; sold by Simpson to Robert Owen Lehman; 2012, promised gift of Robert Owen Lehman to the MFA.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Although the early provenance of this object is not recorded, it is likely that British forces looted it from the Royal Palace in Benin City in 1897. At that time troops occupied the city and seized approximately 4,000 works of art; these objects then made their way to European collectors, dealers, and museums. It is also possible that it left Benin City at a later date or by other means that have not been documented.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Although the early provenance of this object is not recorded, it is likely that British forces looted it from the Royal Palace in Benin City in 1897. At that time troops occupied the city and seized approximately 4,000 works of art; these objects then made their way to European collectors, dealers, and museums. It is also possible that it left Benin City at a later date or by other means that have not been documented.
Royal Ivory-workers Guild (Igbesanmwan)
late 17th–early 18th century
20th century
Royal Bronze-casting Guild (Igun Eronmwon)
18th–19th century
Royal Bronze-casting Guild (Igun Eronmwon)
17th–early 18th century
