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Hornblower (Attendant Figure), 16th–17th century — Ethnologisches Museum Berlin

Cast brass figure of a court hornblower (side-blown trumpet player) from the Kingdom of Benin, c. 1550–1680 CE. Court musicians and hornblowers were essential figures in Benin royal ceremony, announcing the Oba's presence and mediating between the human and spirit worlds through sound. Seized in the 1897 British Punitive Expedition. Held at the Ethnologisches Museum, Berlin / Humboldt Forum. Germany committed to return Benin objects in 2022 — a landmark repatriation policy shift.

Scholarly Significance

Benin court hornblower figure held at Ethnologisches Museum Berlin — primary node for Germany's 2022 Benin returns commitment, a landmark in global repatriation policy.

Notes

  • ·Germany's 2022 commitment to return Benin Bronzes was the first large-scale Western state commitment to Benin repatriation, creating significant pressure on the British Museum.
  • ·The Humboldt Forum in Berlin opened its Benin collection with temporary exhibition while returns were pending — a model of 'display while negotiating' that has been both praised and critiqued.
  • ·Ewere (side-blown horns) were made from elephant tusks or metal and could only be used in the Oba's presence by authorised court musicians.