A Benin bronze-sculpture, with a necklace showing a cross. This symbol led to the assumption that it could be a Portuguese priest; fine, aged patina.

Paula Ben-Amos however is of the opinion that this figure is a priest of Osanobua, the creator god, or a member of the secret society "Ewua association". Both groups carried crosses at the palace. According to Ben-Amos, the cross would be a cosmogonic sign and an indication of the creation of the world.

Paula Girshick Ben-Amos, The Art of Benin, London 1995, S. 56. ua Barbara Plankensteiner (editor.); Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007, S. 332.

sold

Height: 63 cm
Length: 18 cm
Width: 24 cm
Weight: 11 kg