Ornamental weapon, ada. Blade engraved with representations of a leopard, a European head and the other ceremonial sword, the eben. The grip is of wood covered with copper and brass sheet and brass wire.

Collection type: Object
Description: Ornamental weapon, ada. Blade engraved with representations of a leopard, a European head and the other ceremonial sword, the eben. The grip is of wood covered with copper and brass sheet and brass wire.
Long description: Carried by a page when the Oba appears in public and symbolizing his right to take human life. Ada were traditionally sent to vassal chiefs as symbols of their authority. The ada is believed to contain ase, spiritual power. It is associated with Ogun, the god of metal and the patron of farmers, craftsmen, hunters and warriors. [presumably LMM 7 1991; JC 6 7 2000]
Geographical reference: Nigeria
Africa > Western Africa > Nigeria; Benin
Cultural groups: Edo
Person: Field collector George Le Clerc Egerton; Field collector 1897 Benin City "Punitive Expedition"; PRM source Dumas-Egerton Trust
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1897
Date collected: 1897
Acquisition information: Loaned: 1991
Materials and processes: Material Iron Metal, Material Wood Plant, Material Copper Metal, Material Brass Metal, Material Metal Wire, Process Incised
Dimensions: Length 995 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1991.13.19
Associated publications: The Dumas-Egerton Collection, of which this is part, was examined by Hermione Waterfield of Christie's in May 1984; see 'Part of the Nigerian Art Collected by Admiral Sir George Le Cler[c] Egerton on the Benin Expedition of 1897 on Deposit at Maidstone Museum' (copy in RDF). The entry for this object reads: 'A Benin ceremonial sword, ada, the metal blade engraved with a bearded Portuguese head and a lion, stippled with an eben, brass-covered wood handle. 39 in. long.' [JC 23 1 2002]

Search terms: Weapon, Ritual and Ceremonial, Figure, Sword, Ceremonial Object, Animal Figure

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