Ceremonial sword, mid 20th century
Edoexpand_more
Wood, metal, ivoryexpand_more
Gift of the Ullrich Collectionexpand_more 97.167.48
On View in Gallery 250expand_more
Every high-ranking dignitary in the Benin kingdom owns a sword like this, even today, but not for smiting enemies. The eben sword, with its fanlike blade and hooped handle, is purely ceremonial. During an annual festival to honor ancestors, particularly those of the king, all the dignitaries dance with their eben, tossing and twirling it in the air before touching it to an ancestral shrine.
Details
- Title
- Ceremonial sword
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 97.167.48
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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