Artwork details Title: Altar to the Hand of Ezomo Ehenua (Ikegobo) Unattributed: Edo People ; Nigeria, out of Benin Date: 18th–19th century location: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY Medium: Brass Dimensions: 33 × 35.6 × 35.6 cm Credit line: Rogers Fund, 1996 Accession number: 996.11 Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1996 Rights/Image Permissions: Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rogers Fund 1999, 996.11
Altar to the Hand of Ezomo Ehenua (ikegobo) is a metal sculpture from the 18th and 19th century, from Nigeria, Court of Benin. It comes from the historic kingdom of Benin, ikegobo aka (altars to the hand).This piece wasmost likely made to celebrate the brave men who were able to stand out in the tribe.1 According to the Met, “Altars of this kind are commissioned in terracotta, wood, or brass, depending on the status of the patron.”2The reason whyAltar to the Hand of EzomoEhenua (Ikegobo) and most other Benin objects left the Court of Benin was due to the British punitive expedition in 1897. This piece is a big, round object that has carvings of warriors wearing traditional headgear. Every person depicted looks unique. Similar to the Terracotta Army found buried with the first Emperor of China, it is possible that each of the warriors depicted on this piece are based on real people. Many of the warriors are prepared for battle, holding weapons and shields. The central figure in this art piece is holding several severed heads. This piece is currently at The Metropolitan Museum of Art It is a part ofthe Michael C. Rockefeller Wing, which is the wing devoted to African art, ancient American art, and the Oceania collection.This wing has closed temporarily, because the museum is preparing the collection for what they call the ‘new generation of visitors.’ They are planning to reopen by the year 2024. Altar to the Hand of EzomoEhenua (Ikegobo)has a long and somewhat controversial history. This piece, among other pieces in the collection, was unrightfully taken by the British army as “loot” for their victory more than a century ago. There are ongoing talks in the museum world about the ethics of keeping such objects that were originally stolen from their people by colonials. Some museum professionals are discussing the idea of returning some of the museum objects to the homeland of Nigeria. However, some people believe that Nigeria doesn’t have the right tools to keep these objects safe and preserved. They believe a museum such as the British Museum is better suited to the task; the British Museum happens to have well over 900 objects from the historic kingdom of Benin in their collection. The British Museum also has a great deal of technology to help them record and preserve their pieces. The museum curators fear that returning these pieces to Nigeria might simply result in the pieces being inadvertently destroyed, and their history lost forever. They also fear that the museum may lose money and visitors if they returneda large number of their pieces.
Bibliography
Ben-Amos, Paula Girshick. "Benin, Kingdom of." Grove Art Online.2003; Accessed 12 Apr. 2022. https://www-oxfordartonline-com.cordproxy.mnpals.net/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000007886.
Berns, Marla C., T. J. H. Chappel, Margret Carey, Kathy Curnow, William J. Dewey, Barbara E. Frank, Eugenia Herbert, Carolee G. Kennedy, Christine Mullen Kreamer, John Mack, Fred T. Smith, Robert T. Soppelsa, and Natalie Tobert. "Africa: Materials and techniques." Grove Art Online.2003; Accessed 20 Apr. 2022. https://www-oxfordartonline-com.cordproxy.mnpals.net/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-60000100095.
Drewal, H. J. "Yoruba." Grove Art Online.2003; Accessed 20 Apr. 2022. https://www-oxfordartonline-com.cordproxy.mnpals.net/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000092939.
Author, Unknown. “Art, Loot and Empire: The Benin Bronzes - YouTube.” YouTube , 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJIkhMi_6PU.
Unknown , Author. “Altar to the Hand of Ezomo Ehenua (Ikegobo) 18th–19th Century.” Metmuseum.org, 2022. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/317781#:~:text=In%20the%20kingdom%20of%20Benin,manual%20skill%20and%20physical%20strength.
Author, Unknown. “ British Museum Offers to ... - Youtube.com.” youtube , 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzHDzV1jZ1U.
Author , Unknown. “Reenvisioning The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing.” Metmuseum.org, 2022. https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/the-michael-c-rockefeller-wing/reenvisioning-mcr-wing.
Author, Unknown. “Western Reactions to Benin Bronzes | Civilisations - BBC ...” YouTube , 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp8flCwvoAU.
Wikipedia article on Jade Mountain Illustrating the Gathering of Scholars at the Lanting Pavilion Here which is another object Miss Lande has research done.
Bio Author Ashley Rose Lande is from Coon Rapids, Minnesota and is 24 years old. Ashley is a Juniorat Concordia Moorhead Collegeandispursuing a degree in HeritageMuseum Studies and a minor in History. She is focused on British history and World War II history. After she graduates, she plans to earn her master’s in Library Science so she can eventually work as a museum curator or a collection manger.