A bronze statue of an Oba in the Benin style

A bronze statue of an Oba in the Benin style, standing on a square base which is engraved with manifold symbols of power. Superimposed over an interlace pattern which runs around the four sides are several appliqués showing bent arms with the hands holding leaves. On the ground lie captured enemies with their hands tied behind their backs. To the left and right of the Oba's feet are spotted panthers. Four military officers or courtiers accompany the Oba at all four corners, the rear two of lower rank, indicated by their more diminutive stature. The Oba holds the insignia of power and is adorned with a pearl bonnet and numerous pearl necklaces, which illustrate his supreme position. The entire object is decorated in a horror vacui manner without a single gap and in an extremely varied manner, a rare bronze of outstanding quality.

Lit.: Philip J. C. Dark, An introduction to Benin art and technology, Oxford 1973. Phillips, T. (ed), Africa. The Art of a Continent, 1999. Paula Girshick Ben-Amos, The art of Benin, 1995. Ekpo Eyo, Frank Willett, Kunstschätze aus Alt-Nigeria, Mainz 1983. Barbara Plankensteiner (Hg.), Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007. Ezra, Kate. Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992. Plass, Margaret Barton, William B. Fagg, and Roy Sieber. Seven metals of Africa. Philadelphia: University Museum, 1959. Robbins, Warren M. African Art in American Collections. L'art africain dans les collections americaines. New York: F.A. Praeger, 1966. Indiana University Art Museum. Royal Benin. Bloomington, 1980. Kaplan Flora S. Dr., ed. Images of power: Art of the Royal Court of Benin. New York: Grey Art Gallery, New York University, 1981. Dark, Philip J.C. An Illustrated Catalogue of Benin Art. Boston: G. K. Hall & Co., 1982, no. Z2/77. Herbert, Eugenia W. Red Gold: Copper Arts of Africa. South Hadley, MA: Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, 1984; Felix von Luschan: Die Altertümer von Benin, Band 1, pagee 310 ff, Band 3 Tafeln 79.

TL Analysis 340 years +/- 26,5 %

More information on request.

Height: 57 cm
Weight: 23 kg