Perhaps the best known, and most numerous, sculptures of bronze of all African origin come from the city of Benin, capital of the Edo Kingdom. Knowledge of these objects reached the outside world as a result of the British invasion of 1867, when thousands of Benin bronze, ivory and wood sculptures were taken from their native home and displaced to England and many other parts of the world. Benin art is commonly referred to as court art because the King "Oba" had ownership of the majority of works. The Oba maintained many skilled artisans, carvers of ivory, bead workers and bronze smiths, etc to manufacture works of art for his royal kingdom. Bronze workers were forbidden to work for anyone outside the court and this law was punishable by death. This important bronze container in the form of a fish "ehen" therefore would have been used by the Benin royal court. The bronze cast container is covered with a most beautiful pattern of overlapping semi-circles and small dots. The stylized eyes and lips portray a welcome feeling for the guests of the royal family. The top fin of the fish adds nicely to the overall look and also serves as a handle to remove the lid. Once opened visitors of the royal family would have most probably found kolanuts and other gifts inside. This bronze "ehen" provided a glorious presentation for offerings to the guests of royalty and is a true treasure from a most powerful and ancient culture.