The demand for brass objects increased in Nigeria during the nineteenth century, some of them from Britain imported undecorated, others (e.g. Forcades River bells from Birmingham) cast in the desired form. The simple dishes and platters were then decorated locally and assembled as prestige items by chiefs, who would also present them as gifts to important dignitories or other distinguished visitors. The trading chiefs of Old Calabar were famous for their display of such objects, which must have resembled medieval sideboards.

The superb central figure, reminiscent of the Queen of the Night from Mozart's The Magic Flute, is probably an ekpe masquerader representing the wife of a missionary, danced by a man at the behest of a woman, because important women could be honorary members of the society. The figure to her right is a fatting room girl.
We are indebted to Dr. Jill Salmons for her assistance in preparing this entry