Description (Labels & Markings)
Luggage tag reads in pencil: '1637 Loom figurine / Okpe'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Physical description)
Figure for loom
'Insect remains present in one large chip near the top of the figurine. K. Sutton 24/5/2001'
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas/Bevan label reads: 'T.C. 1637 / Figurine from Loom.'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Description (Labels & Markings)
Thomas label adhered to object reads: '844 | Okpe | 1637 / Figurine for Loom'
Event Date
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Field collection)
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
Author: Remke van der Velden

Context (Related Documents)
'See E 1910.118 and E 1913.3 records for further details about the Thomas Collection from Nigeria'. T.Cotterill,7/5/2001.
Event Date 7/5/2001
Author: maa

Context (Analysis)
Okeeke, an instrument used for holding rollers on the weaving loom. It is usually situated above the head of the weaver and linked with the pedals that alternate the cotton for weaving. There are usually two sets of spun cotton for weaving. The cottons are separated alternately. This is to allow the two sets to alternate moving up and down. Each time they alternate the up and down movement, the shuttle with its cotton is passed through, thus allowing for a kind of mat weaving effect. The mechanism attached to the two sets of strings that allows for the easy to and fro rotation of the cotton sets is the okeeke. In between the prongs of the carved wood there would be a reel/roller to which the extended strings from the pedals are attached.
Similar to Z 25240. An unsuccessful attempt has been made to represent two heads with their facial features. Between the supposed heads are protrusions, which make them look like human heads seen from the side. Beneath the heads two circular segments appear with a triangular segment below this. A hole has been bored through this segment, the surface around one exit point of the hole is badly damaged. From the triangular segment the two legs emanate making the whole object triangular in shape. The two legs are further separated into two legs each, which re-join just in time to form the last segment through which two functional holes are bored. It is an interesting piece of functional art. Sharp deliberate knife marks are visible on the object. [Information provided by Dr Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum of the Institute for African Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.]
Event Date 1/2013
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Okeeke. Loom attachment carved from wood. Abstract carving possibly depicting two human figures arranged back to back, features indistinct. Bottom section diverges and each side is carved through to appear like pairs of legs. These legs stand on two short platforms of wood which have a hole drilled through to hold the loom string. There is also a hole drilled through the top section.
Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring

Context (Amendments / updates)
Record updated as part of the Museum Affordances project 2018-2020

Event Date 12/7/2018
Author: Katrina Dring