Context (Related Documents)
Black and white photograph attached to rear of catalogue card.
Event Date
Author: Jazmin Hundal

Description (Physical description)
Bottle top, carved with two heads.

Event Date
Author: maa

Context (Acquisition Details)
See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria.
Event Date 07/05/2001
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Bottle stopper. Two heads joined together at the skull, to create a triangular design at the top of the stop. One head is more decorated than the other, wears a ‘cat whisker’, which is a face mark common among the Nupe in the 19th century. Work also reminiscent of Yoruba carvings. One head elaborately decorated, the other is plain, no face marks. Elongated facial features. Stopper base heavily decorated with edged lines that form a raised pattern. Hole for harness in the middle. Nice piece, combines design and function well. Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. November 2012.

Event Date 3/12/2012
Author: maa

Context (Acquisition Details)
Collected by Northcote W. Thomas in Edo State, Okpe town. The inhabitants belong to the Edo ethnic group, and also identify themselves further as Okpe people. The language they speak is also referred to as Okpe. See Blench, R. M., 1995. The Work of N.W. Thomas as Government Anthropologist in Nigeria. The Nigerian Field, 60, pp.29.
Purchased using money from Prof. A.A. Bevan’s subscription to the Museum’s Accessions Fund.

Event Date 4/12/2012
Author: Remke van der Velden

Description (Physical description)
Carved wooden bottle stopper. Comprises of a rounded top with two back-to-back heads above, and a long protrusion below which narrows towards the tip. Heads are joined at backs of skulls, which forms a triangular profile; one head decorated with a 'cat whisker', the other is plain. Exterior of rounded top also features incised decoration. Large crack in top on one side.
Event Date 6/10/2021
Author: Jazmin Hundal