ticketsMember | Make a donation

Altar to the Hand (Ikegobo)

19th century
Not on view
In the royal kingdom of Benin, cylindrical "altars to the hand," or ikegobo, are created to celebrate a person's accomplishments and successes. Ikegobo are dedicated to the hand, the aspect of an individual's being associated with action and the initiation of change which is at the root of one's achievements. Depending on a patron's wealth and place within the hierarchy of the kingdom, these objects are made of brass, wood, or clay.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Altar to the Hand (Ikegobo)
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Nigeria, Court of Benin
  • Culture: Edo peoples
  • Medium: Wood, sacrificial materials
  • Dimensions: H. 20 x W. 27 3/4 x D. 13 3/8 in. (50.8 x 70.5 x 34 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Klaus G. Perls, 1991
  • Object Number: 1991.17.112a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Altar Tusk, Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists, Ivory, Edo peoples
Altar Tusk
Ìgbèsànmwà (ivory- and wood- carving guild) artists
1888–97
Ogbom dance crest fragment, Southern Ibibio artist, Wood, Ibibio peoples, Eket subgroup
Ogbom dance crest fragment
Southern Ibibio artist
19th century
Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà), Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists, Brass, Edo peoples
Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà)
Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting guild) artists
19th century
Iphri shrine, Ijo artist, Wood, pigment, Ijo peoples
Iphri shrine
Ijo artist
19th century
Male figure for a komien (trance diviner), "Master from Essankro", Wood, pigment, beads, iron, applied organic materials, Baule peoples
Male figure for a komien (trance diviner)
"Master from Essankro"
ca. 1880

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.