BENIN BELT MASK NIGERIA 15th–18th? century Bronze H.: 19.5 cm (7½ in.) (Bears a former collection number) A Benin hip mask, Nigeria Provenance: Acquired from the Reverend G. T. Basden in the Igbo region, early 20th? century James Thomas Hooper (1897–1971) Collection, Arundel, inv. no. 1822 Christie’s, London, African Art from the James Hooper Collection, 14 July 1976, lot no. 56 Pierre Dartevelle (1940–2022), Brussels Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family Exhibitions: Munich, Germany, Villa Stuck, Götter Geister Ahnen. Afrikanische Skulpturen in deutschen Privatsammlungen / Gods, Spirits, Ancestors. African Sculpture from Private German Collections, 28 October 1992 – 10 January 1993 Bibliography: Hooper (James Thomas) and Burland (Cottie A.), The Art of Primitive Peoples, London, Fountain Press, 1953, pl. 57 Phelps (Steven), *Art and Artifacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas: The James Hooper Collection*, London, Hutchinson, 1976, p. 392, pl. 235, no. 1822 Schaedler (Karl-Ferdinand), *Gods, Spirits, Ancestors. African Sculpture from Private German Collections*, Munich, Panterra Verlag, 1992, p. 128, no. 97 46th Art Fair in Brussels, Brussels, 2000 (Advertisement – Galerie Dartevelle) This bronze hip ornament (uhunmwu-ekue) depicts the Oba, sovereign of the Kingdom of Benin. It served as a symbol of allegiance and political submission. In the kingdoms within the Edo sphere of influence, high-ranking dignitaries wore this type of object on their left hip to hold their ceremonial loincloth in place. The Oba distributed these insignia to vassal rulers and chiefs under his authority, thereby formalising their status whilst affirming their loyalty to the court. The mask is surmounted by an openwork crown composed of stylised coral beads, one of the most emblematic attributes of Beninese royal power. The rings arranged around the chin and beard served as attachment points for rows of coral beads or small metal bells—now lost—which brought the ornament to life during court ceremonies. A BENIN HIP MASK NIGERIA 15??–18?? century Bronze H.: 7½ in. (Bearing an old collection number) Provenance: Acquired from Reverend G. T. Basden in the Igbo region, early 20th century Collection of James Thomas Hooper (1897–1971), Arundel, inv. no. 1822 Christie’s, London, African Art from the James Hooper Collection, 14 July 1976, lot 56 Pierre Dartevelle (1940–2022), Brussels Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent Exhibitions: Munich, Germany, Villa Stuck, Götter Geister Ahnen. Afrikanische Skulpturen in deutschen Privatsammlungen / Gods, Spirits, Ancestors: African Sculpture from Private German Collections, 28 October 1992 – 10 January 1993 Bibliography: Hooper (James Thomas) and Burland (Cottie A.), *The Art of Primitive Peoples*, London: Fountain Press, 1953, pl. 57 Phelps (Steven), Art and Artifacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas: The James Hooper Collection, London: Hutchinson, 1976, p. 392, pl. 235, no. 1822 Schaedler (Karl-Ferdinand), Gods, Spirits, Ancestors: African Sculpture from Private German Collections, Munich: Panterra Verlag, 1992, p. 128, no. 97 46th Art Fair in Brussels, Brussels, 2000 (Advertisement: Galerie Dartevelle) This bronze hip ornament (uhunmwu-ekue) represents the Oba (king) and served as a symbol of fealty and political submission. Throughout the kingdoms within and around Benin, high-ranking officials wore such ornaments on the left hip to secure ceremonial skirts. The Oba distributed these objects to vassal rulers and subordinate chiefs throughout the regions under Edo influence, thereby formalising their status and affirming their allegiance to the royal court. The mask is surmounted by an openwork crown composed of stylised coral beads, one of the foremost emblems of royal authority in Benin. The rings encircling the chin and beard area served as attachment points for strands of coral beads or small metal rattles, which would originally have been suspended from the ornament during palace ceremonies.