Elephant Head Bronze Altar Piece, 17th century — Museum am Rothenbaum Hamburg

Cast brass elephant head (oton) altar piece, 17th century CE, Kingdom of Benin. Elephant heads were placed on special altars (ikhuta) dedicated to the celebration of military victories and royal power. The elephant (erimwindo) symbolises royal greatness and strength in Benin iconography. The Museum am Rothenbaum (formerly Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburg) transferred 3 Benin objects to Nigeria in December 2022, part of the broader German restitution commitment.