ClassificationsAfrican Art

Scepter (Makpo)

Place CreatedBenin, Africa

CultureFon

Datelate 19th Century

MediumBrass, copper, iron, wood

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Dimensions21 1/2 x 7 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (54.6 x 19.1 x 3.2 cm)

Object number2003.065.001

Label TextCarried by Fon priests and priestesses, ritual axes or makpo served as emblems of Xevioso, the God of Thunder and Lightning.
Exhibition HistoryAfrican Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia: Collection of Frederick and Claire Mebel, Hillwood Art Gallery, Greenvale, New York, 1984
MCCM Permanent Collection Installation, Rotation 3, September 26, 1998 - Spring 2003
Published ReferencesPeter Westerdijk, African Metal Implements: Weapons, Tools, and Regalia: Collection of Frederick & Claire Mebel (Greenvale, NY: Hillwood Art Gallery, 1984), 14, number 26.
MCCM Newsletter, March - May, 2004.

ProvenanceEx coll. Frederick (1913-1998) and Claire (1916-1994) Mebel, New York, from at least 1984. Thence by descent to Steven and Elaine Schwartzreich, New York. Purchased by MCCM from the Schwartzreichs.

Status

Not on view

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