This Benin bronze of a standing soldier is small in size but big in quality. Under his buttoned waistcoat-like armour he wears a finely worked undergarment decorated with large stripes alternating with small dots and a finely crafted belt, trousers and boots. His left hand grasps the sheath of a sword, with his right hand he reaches in an almost mannered gesture into his beard which is so well-groomed that it looks as if it is attached. His face is not unfriendly. It shows a self-confident and yet sociable calmness. His full lips are well formed, the long nose ends in broad wings and the large eyes, which rest under subtly curved brows, are finely bordered and one would almost dare to say soulful. On his head sits a semicircular helmet with a bulging rim and three nubs at the top. Under the helmet a neat long hairstyle emerges. It is remarkable how the artist has created the transition from the hairstyle to the armour. He seems to pay respect to each individual hair. We have to ask ourselves, whether a Portuguese is depicted here, or more likely a noble member of the royal family, or their entourage.
The small bronze has a satin-like shiny dark patina.

Lit.: Ezra, K. 1992. Royal Art of Benin: the Perls Collection. Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, US. Bacquart, J. 1998. The Tribal Arts of Africa. Thames and Hudson, UK. Phillips, T. (ed). 1999. Africa: The Art of a Continent. Prestel.

500 - 600.- Euro

sold

Height: 31 cm
Weight: 1,5 kg