horn

The ownership of this object was transferred to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in November 2022.

An ivory side-blown horn (oko). Benin City. Oko are frequently used by priests to evoke spirits and by traditional doctors to drive away witches when attending to a patient that may have been afflicted by a witch. Oko can also serve as an object of commemoration. Made by Igbesanmwan guildmembers (ivory and wood carvers).

Register: 'ceremonial whistle'. African Horns Box IX. Purchased Sotheby's.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
M20.3.57/2
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 298 mm x 33 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
ivory
CATEGORY
Musical Instruments
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