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Altar to the Hand (ikegobo) of Ezomo Ehenua

1991.17.113

1996.11

Combined

In the kingdom of Benin, ikegobo, or "altars to the hand," celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional individuals. The hand is associated with action and productivity, and is considered the source of wealth, status, and success for all those who depend on manual skill and physical strength. Altars of this kind are commissioned in terracotta, wood, or brass, depending on the status of the patron. — Timeline of Art History

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"Oba with Animals, Altar to the Hand (Ikegobo) of Ezomo Ehenua [Nigeria; Edo peoples, court of Benin] (1991.17.113,1996.11)". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ho/09/sfg/hod_1991.17.113,1996.11.htm (October 2006)

"Altar to the Hand (Ikegobo) [Nigeria; Edo peoples, court of Benin] (1979.206.218)". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pwmn/hod_1979.206.218.htm (October 2006)

• Describes another ikegobo from the Museum's collection, 1979.206.218

Bortolot, Alexander Ives. "Origins and Empire: The Benin, Owo, and Ijebu Kingdoms". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/beni_2/hd_beni_2.htm (October 2003)

Ross, Emma George. "Benin Chronology". In Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bnch/hd_bnch.htm (October 2002)

Selected Web Resources Elsewhere

Published Resources

Links with shelf numbers refer to WATSONLINE, the online library catalog of the Museum. Photocopies of each source reference are available in the Goldwater Library. Certain electronic resources are accessible within the museum or with an approved remote connection.

Primary References (with specific reference to Ezomo Ehenua's ikegobo):

• Bradbury, R.E. “Ezomo’s Ikegobo and the Benin Cult of the Hand.” Man 61 (1961): p. 129-138. [A M226 v.61 or Online]
  • Detailed description of the meaning of the figures on the ikegobo housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as an explanation of the purpose, meaning, and different types of ikegobo.

• Egharevba, Jacob U. A Short History of Benin. 4th ed. Benin: Jacob U. Egharevba, 1968. (O5KB E28 1968)
  • Pp. 44-45: Brief account of how Akenzua I came to power and the Benin lifestyle that followed.

• Ezra, Kate. Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992. (O2 N545r REF)
  • Pp. 106-113: Explanation of the role of ikegobo (with illustrations), as well as a discussion of Ezomo Ehenua's ikegobo in particular.

• Kaplan, Flora S., ed. Images of Power: Art of the Royal Court of Benin. New York: New York University, 1981. (O2 N5295)
  • Illus. 23: Illustration of "Altar of the Hand with Bronze Tusk" from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

• LaGamma, Alisa. "Ezomo Ehenua's Ikegobo, Oba With Sacrificial Animals." In Recent Acquisitions: A Selection 1995-1996 (Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, new ser. v. 54, no. 2 (Autumn 1996)), P. 72. [<many locations> or Online]

Secondary References (with similar ikegobo):

• Acosta Mallo, Antonio and Pilar Llull Martinez de Bedoya. Art of Black Africa. Lagos: Tribal, 1992. (O3 A18 )
  • Plates 18, 42-43: Illustrations of two ikegobo, one from the Jos Museum in Nigeria and the other from the National Museum in Benin, Nigeria (accompanied by descriptions).

• Dark, Phillip J.C. An Illustrated catalogue of Benin Art. Boston: G.K. Hall and Company, 1982. (O5KB D21i)
  • Illus. 5-6, 16A: Three illustrations of hand altars from the British Museum, the University of California at Los Angeles' Fowler Museum, and the Museum für Völkerkunde in Hamburg.

• Dark, Philip J.C. An Introduction to Benin Art and Technology. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973. (O5KB D21)
  • Plates 18, 42-43, 53: Illustrations of "wooden altars of the hand" from Benin, "bronze altar of the hand" from the Jos Museum, and "shrine of the hand" from Benin (all accompanied by descriptions).

• Fagg, William, and Margaret Plass. African Sculpture. New York, 1970. (O3 F15 1970)
  • P. 108: Illustration of a bronze ikegobo from the Jos Museum in Nigeria with a description from a 'design' point of view.

• Fagg, William. Nigerian Images: The Splendor of African Sculpture. New York: Frederick A. Praeger, 1963. (O5K F15)
  • Illus. 40: Illustration of an ikegobo from the British Museum.

• Hooton, E.A. “Benin Antiquities in the Peabody Museum.” Harvard African Studies Vol. 1 (1917): p.130-146. (A H336 v.1)
  • Figs. 13-14: Illustration of an ikegobo from the Peabody Museum followed by a (subsequently discredited) explanation of the piece's use as an execution block.

• Kaplan, Flora S., ed. Images of Power: Art of the Royal Court of Benin. New York: New York University, 1981. (O2 N5295 )
  • P. 33: Illustration of "Altar with Queen Mother and Attendants" from a private collection in New York.

• Pitt-Rivers, Augustus Henry Lane-Fox. Antique Works of Art from Benin. Reprint ed. New York: Hacker Art Books, 1971. (O5KB P68 1971)
  • Figs. 258-60, 333-35: Illustration of two ikegobo, described as execution blocks.

• Price, Christine. Made in West Africa. London: Studio Vista, 1976. (O3 P94)
  • P. 90: Illustration of an ikegobo, the whereabouts of which is unspecified.

• Read, Charles Hercules, and Ormonde Maddock Dalton. Antiquities from the City of Benin and From Other Parts of West Africa in the British Museum. Reprint ed. New York: Hacker Art Books, 1973. (O5KB R28 1973 Quarto)
  • Plate IX: Two illustrations of ikegobo from the British Museum, which describes them as "cylindrical pedestals."

• Sydow, Eckart von. “Ancient and Modern Art in Benin City.” Africa, 11 (1938): p. 55-62. [A257 v. 11 or Online]
  • Illustrations of "Altar of the Own Hand" from Benin City, as well as a description of ikegobo in general.

Tertiary references (background material on ikegobo and the Kingdom of Benin):

• Dean, Carolyn. "The Individual and the Ancestral: Ikegobo and Ukhurhe." The Art of Power, the Power of Art. Los Angeles: Regents of the University of California, 1983, pp. 33-40. (O2 L898)
  • A brief history of the ikegobo, a description of its function, and a short discussion of Ezomo Ehenua's ikegobo, as well as the relation of ikegobo to ukhurhes.

• Ben-Amos, Paula Girshick. The Art of Benin. Rev. ed. London: British Museum Press, 1995. (O5KB B45 1995)
  • Pp. 8-19: A map and brief history of Benin.

• Bradbury, R.E., and P.C. Lloyd. The Benin Kingdom and the Edo-Speaking Peoples of South Western Nigeria. London: International African Institute, 1957. (OE E846 pt. 13)
  • Pp. 58-59: Discussion of the three most important 'spirits or powers associated with individuals,' one being the Oba (arm).

• Dark, Philip J.C. An Illustrated catalogue of Benin Art. Boston: G.K. Hall and Company, 1982. (O5KB B21i)
  • Passim.: A listing of altars of the hand and where they have been illustrated.

• Dark, Philip J.C. An Introduction the Benin Art and Technology. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1973. (O5KB D21)
  • Pp. 46-53: The history and process of brassworking in Benin.

• Gods of Fortune: The Cult of the Hand in Nigeria. New York: Museum of Primitive Art, 1974. (O2 N55 18 REF)
  • Pp. 8-10: A general discussion of "The Cult of the Hand" in Nigeria and the ikegobo of the Benin people.

• Hackett, Rosalind I.J. Art and Religion in Africa. London: Cassell, 1996. (O3 H12)
  • Pp. 154-155: A broad overview of ikegobo.

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