A Benin brass-plate in the style of Benin, a figure holding an cylindrical container, ekpoki, in his hands, framed by six rosettes at the rim, pierced through with six holes for fixing to the pillars of the palace of a high ranking person of the Benin court; partly encrusted patina of different layers of oxidatioins, see magninification-photos.

Ẹkpẹtin describes boxes of different shapes and sizes used as storage for different articles. They were usually carved from wood by members of the Igbesamwan and designed with different relief patterns of animal and human figures. Some may also have been used as stools.

Ẹkpẹtin are one of two types of boxes identified here – the second are the cylindrical Ẹkpoki. Ẹkpẹtin is used more generally to describe other kinds of boxes in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. Although some may have been utilitarian, a number had ceremonial and ritual significance, indicated by their highly decorated exteriors.

Soruce: Digital Benin, Weltmuseum Wien, reference No. VO_64798.

Most of the figures on the Benin plates are holding weapons such as swords, spears or firearms, manille or animals such as leopards, catfish or crocodiles. We know of only three images in which one or more people are shown holding boxes, presumably containing ritual objects.

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Height: 48 cm
Length: 31 cm
Weight: 7,5 kg