Benin Bronze Head Nigeria

$599.00

Benin Bronze Head Nigeria

– The Benin Empire, which occupied parts of present-day Nigeria

between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries, was very rich in

sculptures of diverse materials, such as iron, bronze, wood, ivory,

and terracotta.

This lost wax bronze figure is of an ‘Oba’ or King.

Only 1 left in stock

Description

Benin Bronze Head Nigeria

– The Benin Empire, which occupied parts of present-day Nigeria

between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries, was very rich in

sculptures of diverse materials, such as iron, bronze, wood, ivory, and terra cotta.

The Oba‘s palace in Benin, the site of production for the royal ancestral altars,

also was the backdrop for an elaborate court ceremonial life in which the Oba,

his warriors, chiefs and titleholders, priests, members of the palace societies

and their constituent guilds, foreign merchants and mercenaries, and numerous

retainers and attendants all took part.

 

The palace, a vast sprawling

agglomeration of buildings and courtyards, was the setting for hundreds

of rectangular brass plaques whose relief images portray

the persons and events that animated the court.

Benin Bronze and ivory objects had a variety of functions in the ritual and

courtly life of the Kingdom of Benin. They were used principally to

decorate the royal palace, which contained many bronze works.

They were hung on the pillars of the palace by nails punched directly through them.

As a courtly art, their principal objective was to glorify the

Oba—the divine king—and the history of his imperial power or to honor the queen mother.

 

 Art in the Kingdom of Benin took many forms

of which bronze and brass

reliefs and the heads of kings and queen mothers are the best known.

Bronze receptacles, bells, ornaments, jewelry, and ritual objects also

possessed aesthetic qualities and originality, demonstrating the skills of their makers,

although they are often eclipsed by figurative works in bronze and ivory carvings.

 

The arts and crafts of Africa are amazing

and this stunning Benin Bronze Head Nigeria created using the lost

wax method is no exception and a stunning addition to any decor.

This is a genuine item and highly collectible for the discerning buyer.