The Benin Altar Tusk, referred to as Aken’ni Elao in the Edo language, is an ivory artefact with historical, cultural, and religious significance. This tusk, which measures approximately in height, in width, in depth and weighing as determined by a sample at the British Museum, originates from the Benin Kingdom in present-day Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria and dates back to the 16th century.
Commissioned during the reign of Ọba Osemwende, a notable ruler of the Benin Kingdom, the Benin Altar Tusk served both as a connection to ancestral heritage and as a symbol of the monarch's authority. It features carved royal figures in traditional regalia, depicting scenes of power, ritual, and occasionally conflict. These symbols have historical and cultural significance that evolved as the Benin Kingdom's history unfolded. During the 16th century, the Benin Kingdom experienced economic growth through trade, particularly with the Dutch. Notably, the lower portion of the tusk displays carved depictions of Portuguese figures from that era, later symbolising European traders more broadly. This transformation reflects the changing dynamics of international interactions in subsequent periods.
Over the centuries, the Benin Altar Tusk underwent regular care and maintenance practices, including washing, bleaching, and the application of "orhue," a white clay substance with cultural significance, symbolising peace, purity, and prosperity in Benin society. However, the late 19th century saw the British punitive expedition, leading to the subjugation of Benin City and the looting of artefacts, including several Benin Altar Tusks. These treasures were taken to Britain as part of the spoils of war, eventually finding a home in the British Museum and dispersing among various museums and private collections in Europe. The tusk's creation was facilitated by the Igbesanmwan, a renowned royal ivory carving guild in Benin City.
Today, the Benin Altar Tusk is housed in the British Museum. Its presence has sparked debates and calls for repatriation by Nigerian authorities and cultural organisations, igniting discussions about the possession of colonial-era artefacts and their cultural significance.
History
Origin and creation
The exact date of the Benin Altar Tusk's creation remains uncertain. It reflects the artistic and cultural vibrancy of the Benin Kingdom during the 16th century. Traditionally attributed to commission by Ọba Osemwende, a prominent ruler of the Benin Kingdom, the tusk served to connect with his ancestors and symbolise his authority as a monarch. A tusk features carved royal figures in regal attire and scenes depicting power, ritual, and occasional conflict. These symbols evolved in meaning over time with Benin's changing history.
During Osemwende's reign, the Benin Kingdom prospered economically through trade, notably with the Dutch. The lower portion of the tusk features intricately carved depictions of 16th-century Portuguese figures, representing European traders.
Over time, the tusk's surface likely displayed signs of regular care and maintenance, including washing, bleaching, and the application of a white clay substance known as "orhue," associated with ideals of peace, purity, and prosperity in Benin society.
British punitive expedition
In 1897, the British punitive expedition led to the subjugation of Benin City and the looting of artefacts, including those associated with divine kingship. This military campaign aimed to remove the Oba of Benin and establish British control. As a result, several Benin Altar Tusks, along with other treasures, were taken to Britain as war spoils, eventually becoming part of the British Museum's collection and dispersing among museums and private collections in Europe.
Current location
The Benin Altar Tusk is currently housed in several museums, including the British Museum in London, Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio, Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, USA, Fowler Museum at UCLA in California, Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC, and National Museums Liverpool in Liverpool, England, etc. However, its presence has sparked debates and calls for repatriation by Nigerian authorities and cultural organisations, raising questions about the possession of colonial-era artefacts.
Description
The Benin Altar Tusk is an ivory sculpture adorned with intricate carvings that depict aspects of the Benin Kingdom's history, mythology, and rituals. Measuring about in height, in width, in depth and weighing according to a sample from the British Museum, it is a visually imposing piece of art.