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Type of Object |
Warrior Statue |
Country of Origin |
Nigeria |
Ethnicity |
Benin |
Materials |
Copper Alloy |
Approximate Age |
Unknown |
Height (Inches) |
7.75” |
Width (Inches) |
4.75” |
Depth (Inches) |
2.5” |
Weight (Pounds) |
2lbs |
Overall Condition |
Some dings and normal wear and tear. See photos |
About this figure
Benin art is royal art, instead of tribal art used for rituals and ceremonies like typical African art, it is given to the king or Oba to place in the palace and display the memories and achievements of the Obas and their Queens.
About the Benin People
“The Benin kingdom was founded by the son of an Ife king in around 1300, but it was not until the 15th and 16th centuries that the kingdom reached its maximum size and attained its highest artistic standards. Towards the end of the 15th century the Benin made contact with Portuguese traders living along the coast and it is likely that these traders introduced previously unknown techniques such as brass gilting to Benin craftsman. Following the British punitive expedition to Nigeria in 1897, about three thousand brass, elephant tusks and wooden objects were consigned to the Western world. They were later sold to underwrite the expenses of the expedition and to provide payments for the widows of soldiers killed in the war with Nigeria. At the time, Western scholars were stunned by the quality and magnificence of these objects.
Benin art is best described as court art since it was associated with the king, known as Oba. He held the monopoly on elephant tusks and coral beads within the kingdom, and the brass, elephant tusks and wooden objects referred to above were usually displayed during parades or were placed on top of ancestor altars.
The numerous brass heads and figures cast by Benin metalworkers were created for the royal palace, where a new Oba would dedicate an altar to his predecessor. This rectangular altar was surmounted by brass heads, figures, carved elephant tusks, bells and wooden rattle staffs. It functioned as a tribute to the deceased and a point of contact with his spirit. Using the bells and rattle staffs to call the ancestor’s spirit, the Oba offered sacrifices to him and to the earth on the altar.
Benin figures are rare. The majority date from the 17th to the 18th century and were carved to represent court officials, equestrian figures, queens (recognized by their high coiffure) and roosters. The latter two were seen on the altar of the queen mother.
Benin brass, terracotta and wooden heads are relatively more common and were placed respectively on the altars of kings, of brass caster corporation chiefs and dignitaries. Occasionally, a brass head was surmounted by a carved elephant tusk engraved with the procession of different Obas. For the longest time these heads were thought to represent an Oba, but today some Western scholars believe that a number of the 16th-century heads may be representations of prisoners.
The style of Benin brass heads evolved from thin casts with prominent chins dating from the 16th century to thicker casts showing a high collar extending to the mouth and a coiffure formed by two vertical ‘wings’.
At least two other styles of brass head dating from the 16th century can be distinguished. The first- called the Udo style, from the Udo chiefdom where three of these heads were found – includes eight rougher-looking heads, the backs of which were pierced with rectangular holes. The second style also dates from the end of the 16th century and has a rounded head with semi-circular eyes and a flat coiffure.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
Dave Dahl—CEO Discover African Art
Keywords: Benin, Bronze, Copper, Figure, Statue, Lost Wax
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