Figure Item Number: K2.42 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Standing metal figure of a crowned member of the royal court with ceremonial sword (eben) in his right hand, which is bent forward at the elbow. He is wearing armour and a helmet; stack of coral beads wrapped around his neck (odigba). His left arm is resting, bent at the elbows so that his hand can rest on the front of his dress. Stiff angular lines with a geometrical pattern of diamond-shaped lattice work on the dress. He is wearing an elaborate helmet with three protrusions sticking upward. The sword has a lanceolate shape which tapers downward and then flares outward at the end where there are two flat circles and a twisted loop. Has a brown patina. On a flat rectangular base.
Narrative
Collected by Roy Dunlop in 1964.
Specific Techniques
Made with the cire-perdue or lost-wax method. The mould is made of beeswax, covered with clay, and then fired. The wax melts and the hollow clay cast is then filled with scraps of copper-based alloy, before being fired for a second time. XRF analysis suggests the piece is made of a leaded copper with a high antimony content, typical of the 19th century.
Item History
- Made in Nigeria before 1900
- Collected during 1964
- Owned by Roy G. Dunlop before 1964
- Received from Roy G. Dunlop (Donor) during 1964
What
- Name
- Figure
- Identification Number
- K2.42
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- copper alloy metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast
- Overall
- height 25.8 cm, width 8.5 cm, depth 6.6 cm
Who
- Culture
- Edo
- Previous Owner
- Roy G. Dunlop
- Received from
- Roy G. Dunlop (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Nigeria
When
- Creation Date
- before 1900
- Collection Date
- during 1964
- Ownership Date
- before 1964
- Acquisition Date
- during 1964
Other
- Item Classes
- carvings & sculpture; metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0114/0017