Hip Ornament with a Human Face from Benin in the Brooklyn Museum, May 2011

Title: Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ)

Date: 18th century (possibly)

Geography: Place made: Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Medium: Copper alloy, iron

Classification: Accessory

Dimensions: 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm)

Inscriptions: faint evidence of a number in white along the PR side of the base, possibly "B60(?).8.513"

Credit Line: Gift of Beatrice Riese

Accession Number: 1994.143

Object Label
Benin court officials have long worn a variety of brass ornaments as part of their elaborate regalia for ceremonial occasions. Such ornaments were worn on the left hip, covering the closure of a wrapped skirt. The three metal scarification marks on either side of the forehead identify the individual portrayed as a royal Edo man. Similar items of regalia are worn by Benin court officials today.

Caption

Edo. Hip Ornament with Human Face (Uhunmwu-Ẹkuẹ), 18th century (possibly). Copper alloy, iron, 6 13/16 × 4 5/16 × 2 1/4 in. (17.3 × 11 × 5.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 1994.143. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)

Text from: www.brooklynmuseum.org/pt-BR/objects/153311