A Benin rooster, (Okukor / Okpa)

A Benin rooster, (Okukor / Okpa). standing on a rectangular base, which is supported by a wooden pedestal. The meandering pattern indicates an early bronze (see Wisocky & Gunsch). This majestic animal, with its splendid, finely crafted plumage, is probably one of the most beautiful pieces we have collected. Given its well-preserved condition, it likely stood for centuries in an aristocratic palace before finding its place in a private collection in Lomé., incl. stand.

The Benin Bronze Rooster is a remarkable example of the sophisticated brass and bronze work produced in the Kingdom of Benin (Edo), in what is now Nigeria, between the 16th and 19th centuries. These objects were created using the lost-wax casting technique, a method that allows for intricate detailing in metal by first sculpting the form in wax, encasing it in a mold, and then melting the wax out to pour molten metal into the cavity.

Roosters, like this one, were highly symbolic in Benin culture. They often represented divine or royal attributes, vigilance, and the connection between the king (Oba) and spiritual forces. Such bronzes were typically part of palace ensembles or shrines, serving ritualistic and commemorative purposes, and were displayed to honor ancestors, the Oba, or significant events.

The craftsmanship of Benin bronzes, including this rooster, is notable for its precision, naturalistic details, and expressive form, reflecting both artistic mastery and the cultural significance of animals in the kingdom’s iconography. Today, pieces like the Okukor are valued not only as art but also as historical records of the political, spiritual, and social life of the Edo people.

Height: 62 cm
Weight: 13,1 kg