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Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
Benin Altar photograph, EEPA 1993-014
Summary
- Collection ID:
- EEPA.1993-014
- Dates:
-
1891 May
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
1 Albumen printcabinet cardblack and white12.7 x 17.8 cm. (5 x 7 inches) (without mount)
- Repository:
- Container:
- 1
One cabinet card with an albumen photographic print by Cyril Punch of a Benin altar with two bronze heads supporting ivory tusks and framing a group of brass statues and bells, an inscription on the frame reading, "Juju altar, Benin City, May 1891.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
A handwritten title on this albumen photograph reads: "Juju altar. Kings compound Benin City May 1891." This cabinet card is considered the earliest known photograph of a Benin altar and the only one known to exist prior to the British invasion of Benin in 1897. It shows the configuration of carved ivory tusks, commemorative heads, bells, a king figure with an eben (sword), and smaller bronze figures. The photograph was taken by Cyril Punch in 1891.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Cyril Punch was a British merchant who lived in the late 1800s and who often traded between Lagos and Benin.
Administration
Author
Eden Orelove
Custodial History note
Purchased, 1992.
Processing Information
The mount and the albumen print have been separated for conservation reasons.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Conditions Governing Access note
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Africa | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Nigeria | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Benin (Nigeria) | Geographic | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Albumen prints | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Cabinet photographs | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art
National Museum of African Art
P.O. Box 37012
MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
elisofonarchives@si.edu