A Bronze head, Nigeria, in the style of Benin; encrusted patina, oxidised and eroded iron inlays on the forehead and the eyes, partly fragentary. To verify the age of these bronzes is only possible by different scientific and stylistc methods.

"The question of fundamental dating - still one of the main questions of Benin research - Wolf approaches, however, always very carefully and with respect. He makes it clear that must remain open, whether his cognition actually" solid clues to the individual by no means completed dating of the Bronzes. "Sylvia Dolz, Treasures of Africa / Benin, the donation Baessler, Museum of Ethnology Dresden, 2006, page 13.

The cited Siegfried Wolf was a scientist and ethnologist, Sylvia Dolz arguesaccording of this point of view that neither a natural sciences (especially TL and metallurgical analysis) nor an art-historical / stylistic method alone lead to useful results in terms of age determination. Only a combination of several reviews can lead to useful results. For us as scientific laymen, it is not possible to make relevant, extremely complex analyzes, so we can not give any information on the age and associated possible restitution claims. We have bought this item as a 20th century copy and will resell it as well: a good copy.

TL Analysis Kotalla 200 years +/- 35 percent.

sold

Height: 25 cm
Weight: 2,2 kg