Ceremonial Sword; Ada

Ceremonial Ada sword in brass with wooden hilt decorated with rings of brass. The blade is ornamented with punched patterns, including the outline of an Eben ceremonial sword on each side. The Ada is a most important insignia of the Oba’s political and religious authority, which is carried in front of him by a sword bearer during official appearances. This one was sold to the museum in 1898 by the Liverpool dealer Reginald R Cross.