A bronze ram

A bronze ram in the Benin style in the form of an aquamanile, standing on four feet, with a closable opening on its head and a gargoyle in its snout, partly decorated with cowrie-shells. A very fine work of the stocky, powerful animal with large ears, forward-curved horns, and protruding eyes in the Benin style. An exceptionally beautiful patina, which, in its complexity and varying discolorations, tells a long "story" and testifies to long-lasting signs of use. Depictions of leopards Aquamanile are relatively common but of sheep and rams extremely rare

Aquamanilia, more broadly, are hand-washing vessels shaped like animals or figures, common in both European and African traditions. While in Europe they were used in religious and domestic settings, the Benin examples reflect royal power and ritual significance. Entwistle, Paris, who sold recently an amazing leopard aquamanile, which patina is different, but not less beautiful.

Height: 26 cm
Weight: 3,5 kg