Antique Old Calabar Brass Charger Dish

Large brass dish with punchwork decoration depicting five seated lions and the name of the town Bida written in the centre.  Bida is a town in Niger State traditionally known for its metalwork. This large deep dish  was originally made in Birmingham England and sent to Nigeria where it was traded by the Efik people to people of the Cross River or Old Calabar district.  They would then decorate the dish using traditional iconography.  Large dishes such as this one were regarded as prestige items.  Circa 1900 (?), Old Calabar, Southern Nigeria, West Africa 
Diameter 42.5cm
Depth 6cm