ESIGIE, THE SCULPTOR KING 

Image: 

Commemorative Head, 1500s, Benin City

Material: Bronze, Iron

Igun Eronmwon Guild 

Benin City

Current Location: British Museum

One of the thousands of looted #BeninBronzes hidden from view in storage at the British Museum.

This Commemorative Head, currently not on display at the British Museum, was stolen by Felix Roth from the palace at Benin City and later sold by his brother Henry Ling Roth. The former Roth served as ‘Advance Surgeon’ during the British invasion of Benin City, 1897, while the later Rother, published, right after, the infamous work of British propaganda, ‘Great Benin; Its Customs, Art and Horrors’ in 1903. Henry Roth would then sell this stolen Commemorative Head of Oba Esigie to the British Museum. 

Interesting to note both the damage to the vertical forehead marks and the quite visible dents to face, which may have occurred during the raiding, burning and looting of the palace.

*comingsoon