A fragmentary plate of a horseman

A fragmentary plate of a horseman in the style of Benin, although this plaque survives only as a fragment, it ranks among the most impressive pieces we have collected, greenish oxidised patina of different layers of encrustratrions.

Representations of equestrian figures on plaques are exceedingly rare within the corpus of Benin art. One comparable example is known, housed in the Weltmuseum Wien. Both plaques depict horsemen in three-quarter profile and are distinguished by the three-dimensional modeling of the rider’s crown and the horse’s head. The headdress, which extends beyond the physical boundary of the plaque and rises prominently above the rest of the composition, contributes to a particularly dynamic visual effect.

The design of the headdress and attire—especially the tunic adorned with cowrie shells—bears a strong resemblance to that found on free-standing equestrian sculptures, suggesting that these works may represent the same historical figure. It is often posited that equestrian imagery in Benin art is intended to portray King Oranmiyan, who is traditionally credited with introducing horses to the region. However, the atypical costume worn by the figure on this plaque challenges such an identification. The headdress in particular is uncharacteristic of Benin and instead evokes regalia more commonly associated with the royal iconography of Ife.

Height: 40 cm without stand
Weight: 4,1 kg wihtout stand