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 print
cabinet card
black and white
12.7 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

Keywords table of terms and types.
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