A Figure of the Ọba

A Figure of the Ọba, in the style of Benin, surmounted on a conical base with human heads, snakes, crocidiles etc, fine aged patina of different layers, see magnifications at the end of this photo sequence. 

Figures of the Ọba ,which is the title of the ruler of the Kingdom of Benin, would be used on ancestral altars within the royal palace. These are only cast in brass and carved in ivory, which illustrates their importance, as these two materials are considered highly valuable in the kingdom. Although depictions of the Ọba are common in Benin royal artworks, particularly on relief plaques, pendant masks and pendant plaques, there are few single figures of the Ọba. The figures identified as the Ọba show a figure richly dressed with coral beads, particularly the high Odigba coral-bead collar. Oftentimes he wears a headdress with a single upwards projection from the crown. Source: Digital Benin

“I believe that the import of all art objects from Africa—whether copies or originals—should be prohibited to protect Africa." 

Quote: Prof. Dr. Viola König, former director of the Ethnological Museum of Berlin, now HUMBOLDTFORUM 

Legal Framework 

Under the 1970 UNESCO Convention in combination with the Kulturgutschutz Gesetz (KGSG) any claim for the restitution of cultural property becomes time-barred three years after the competent authorities of the State of origin obtain knowledge of the object’s location and the identity of its possessor. All bronzes and terracotta items offered have been publicly exhibited in Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery since 2001. Organisations such as DIGITAL BENIN and academic institutions such as the Technical University of Berlin, which have been intensively involved in restitution-reseaches (translocation-project) over the past seven years, are aware of our work, have inspected large parts of our collection and have visited us in our dependance in Lomé, Togo, among other places, to learn about the international Art trade on site. Furthermore, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in Abuja, Nigeria, has been informed about our collection. In no case in the past have there been restitution claims against private institutions such as the Wolfgang Jaenicke Gallery Our Gallery addresses these structural challenges through a policy of maximum transparency and documentation. Should any questions or uncertainties arise, we invite you to contact us. Each matter will be reviewed diligently using all available resources. Non-binding 

TL Analysis on request, 350,- Euro extra

Height: 44 cm 
Weight: 5,7 kg