Accession No
Z 12071
Description
Obo. A small hand shrine offering formed from a cylindrical piece of wood with designs incised into the top and around the circumference. The pattern on the top surface is abstract and geometric, while the designs around the circumference may represent a closed fist.
Place
Africa; West Africa; Nigeria; Edo State; Benin City
Period
Source
Thomas, Northcote Whitridge [field collector]; Bevan, Anthony Ashley (Prof.) [monetary donor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 12071; 63 [Thomas Collection number - 1st Catalogue]
Cultural Affliation
Edo
Material
Wood; ?Pigment
Local Term
obo
Measurements
90mm x 80mm x 90mm
Events
Description (Physical description)
Hand shrine (obo). Carvings on side with deep cut in centre representing the hands
Event Date
Author: maa
Context (Related Documents)
1st Thomas Catalogue notes numbers 1-249 as "Bini (Benin City)". [R.Hand 31/5/2001]
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Labels & Markings)
There is a square mark on the base of the object where a label used to be attached.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Labels & Markings)
Luggage tag attached with string reads: '63 | ōbō, an image of the hand, used in the shrine of the [h]and. The carvings on the side with deep cut in centre represents the hands. / Bini'
N.B. it is possible that the label reads 'shrine of the Land' or 'shrine of the hand'.
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas/Bevan label attached with string reads: 'T.C.63 / Figure (Hands) for Shrine.'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring
Context (Related Documents)
Black and white photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date
Author: maa
Context (Related Documents)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria. [T.Cotterill]
Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: Katrina Dring
Context (Related Documents)
Numbered '63' in the Thomas Collection, 1st catalogue.
Event Date 14/12/2016
Author: Eleanor Wilkinson
Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020
Event Date 18/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring
Description (Physical description)
A small shrine offering formed from a cylindrical piece of wood with designs incised into the top and around the circumference. The pattern on the top surface is abstract and geometric, while the designs around the circumference may represent a closed fist. The whole appears to be stained with a dark pigment.
Event Date 18/9/2018
Author: Katrina Dring
Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2020.4826 | Remedial
Event Date 14/10/2020
Author: Kirstie French
Loan (Exhibition)
Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, 11/05/2020 to 26/10/2020, The Human Touch: Making Art, Leaving Traces
Event Date 11/5/2020
Author: Katrina Dring
FM:125267
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