A fragmentary Benin plaque depicting a Portuguese warrior. He holds a flintlock rifle in his hands. On the belt hangs a short sword. At the four corners are relief-like rosettes. Benin plaque is extremely thin-walled and fragmentary, especially at the top. On the back you can clearly see traces of the casting process. In old plaques this happens in several stages because once only small casting tigels were available. This has the consequence that scar-like traces on the back show up. This is not a sure sign of age, but one of the indices that it is an old plaque. Further technical investigations will be necessary. The patina shows traces of erosion and oxidation

realated exemplare British Museum

Relief plaque made of brass cast using the 'cire perdue' (lost wax) technique. Rectangular in form with side flanges (largely missing). Holes for attachment at top and bottom right. Background surface is decorated with stylised quatrefoil (river leaf) patterns and stippling. Unfortunately, there is no age analysis

sold

Height: 49 cm
Width 35,5 cm
W eight: 4,5 kg