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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
Staff showing a bird of prophesy
Edo, Benin kingdom, Nigeria
19th century
Medium/Technique
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Length x width: 32.4 x 12.1 cm (12 3/4 x 4 3/4 in.)
Credit Line
Robert Owen Lehman Collection
Accession NumberL-G 7.13.2012
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania, Musical Instruments
ClassificationsMusical instruments – Idiophones
This bird ornamented a longer staff used in an annual celebration of Oba Esigie's (r. 1517-1550s) success against an invasion of Benin City. According to oral tradition, a bird predicted Oba Esigie’s defeat during the war with the neighboring kingdom of Idah (about 1515–17). Senior courtiers had also predicted that Esigie and his army would fail, and they determined not to support him. Esigie had the bird killed and used as a standard as he marched into battle. Despite the bird's prophecy and the courtiers' misgivings, his army conquered the enemy king. After the war, Esigie created the festival of Ugie Oro, where senior courtiers process through the city striking cast bronze birds like this one. The clanging sound echoes the pointless noise that the bird--and the courtiers--made when they doubted Esigie's chances of success.
ProvenanceBy 1984, Mathias Komor (dealer; d. 1984), New York; sold by Komor 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.