Such objects, made of chalk or pipeclay, were commonly used in Bini ritual or magic, and would probably balance better in a cup with a hole in the bottom than in one made for the reception of liquids. I suggest that it was used as a receptacle for the egg-shaped objects which sometimes appear in standing cups in the hands of individuals on the bronze plaques. This opening may perhaps have been plugged when the vessel was in use, but no trace now remains of such stoppage and the interior of the bowl shows evidence of polishing as if by friction from some solid object which it may have been used to hold. It is carved from the hollow part of a large tusk, so that not only its lower portion is naturally hollow, but there is also an opening in the bottom of the cuplike portion which represents the here rapidly diminishing natural cavity of the tusk. The Museum has lately acquired a very interesting ivory carving from Benin in the form of a standing cup, or, more probably, a stand for some round-bottomed or ovoid object. An expansion of this design is shown in the coloured drawing reproduced herewith. The accompanying article gives a detailed account of the characters and the design of the carving on this remarkable standing cup. Of the other two attendants of the King, one is a warrior and the other evidently a court official. He stands between two officials whose duty it was to support the arms of the King of Benin on the rare occasions when he appeared in public. Suspended from his neck the Olokun King wears a cross, the meaning of which is uncertain, but which recalls a legend current in Benin in the 16th century to the effect that the King was invested with a cross and staff by a Suzerain whose realm was situated at a distance in northeastern Africa. This device identifies the King with Olokun, the Water God and principal deity of Benin. He is the King of Benin, wearing a headdress with a conventional catfish depending on each side. In the front of the picture is seen the principal personage in the group of five. The entire height of the carving is 7½ inches and it represents a group of five figures supporting on their heads an ornamented cup or holder. The illustration on the opposite page shows an old carved ivory object, now in this Museum, from Great Benin, the famous Negro city and kingdom in West Africa.
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