A brass rooster in the style of Benin

A high-quality brass rooster in the style of Benin, Ọkpa being a shortened version of Ọkporhu,.provenance, El Hadji Abdoulaye Ousmane, called "Abdou Barré," Lomé Togo, Wolfgang Jaenicke, Germany, Berlin, Private collection, posted on a wooden stand,

Bronze cock which did not come into existence until after the introduction of the Iy’ọba title by Ọba Esigie. The first Iy’Ọba was Idia, and the Iy’ọba title is considered to be the greatest achievement of a Benin woman. It has spiritual significance and is placed at the altar of the Iy’ọba after her death. The Iy’ọba is referred to Ọkpa n’ Uselu. Source Digital Benin.

Photo: Digital Benin, Ethnological Museum, State Museums of Berlin, Provenance British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897 Webster (born Cutter), Eva Amarantha Note: Returned from Leipzig; Edition: 17th-19th century, commissioned by the Igun Eronmwon or the Guild of Brass Founders in the Kingdom of Benin; ownership before 1897 currently unknown; probably plundered in connection with the British conquest of Benin in 1897; around 1898 in the possession of the ethnographic dealer Eva Cutter, who married the dealer William D. Webster; sold to the Royal Museum of Ethnology in Berlin, 1898., Source Digital Benin.

The Benin brass cock, also known as the Benin bronze cock or Benin bronze cockerel, is one of the most iconic examples of African art, and it is part of the renowned Benin Bronzes. These works of art are a group of plaques, sculptures, and other artistic objects created by the Kingdom of Benin (located in present-day southern Nigeria) between the 13th and 19th centuries.

The Kingdom of Benin, once one of the most advanced and powerful states in West Africa, is famous for its sophisticated art, which included bronzes, ivory carvings, and other fine works. The Benin artists were particularly skilled in casting with brass and bronze using the lost-wax technique, a method that involves making a model out of wax, coating it with clay to form a mould, then melting the wax and pouring molten metal into the mould.

These works were commissioned by the Benin monarchy, particularly under the leadership of the Oba (king), and served as symbols of power, prestige, and divine authority. The art often depicted scenes of court life, historical events, and animals.

The brass cock, which appears in the Benin bronzes, holds significant cultural and symbolic meaning. Cocks (roosters) were often associated with royal regalia and ceremonial life, and in many African cultures, the rooster is a symbol of courage, strength, and vigilance. It was sometimes linked to the divine and served as an emblem of the Oba's authority.

A brass cock, in particular, was often included in ritual contexts. It was believed to be connected to the spiritual power of the Oba, symbolizing the king's connection to the gods and his ability to ward off evil. In some depictions, the cockerel would be represented as part of the ceremonial regalia or even as a figure that could serve as an offering to the gods.

The Benin Bronzes, a collection of over 900 objects, include plaques, statues, and cockerels. The depiction of animals like the cock in Benin artwork reflected the kingdom's deep engagement with the natural world, as well as its emphasis on fertility, vitality, and strength. Brass cocks were often found in the Benin Royal Palace and were part of the Oba’s court regalia.

Height: 48 cm incl. stand
Length: 31 cm
Weight: 6,6 kg

jaenicke-njoya