A bronze statue of an Oba in the Benin style, standing on a square base which is engraved with manifold symbols of power. Superimposed over an interlace pattern which runs around the four sides are several appliqués showing bent arms with the hands holding leaves. On the ground lie captured enemies with their hands tied behind their backs. To the left and right of the Oba's feet are spotted panthers. Four military officers or courtiers accompany the Oba at all four corners, the rear two of lower rank, indicated by their smaller stature. The Oba, holds the insignia of power and is adorned with the pearl bonnet and the numerous pearl necklaces, which illustrate his supreme position. The entire object is decorated in a horror vacui manner without a single gap and in an extremely varied manner; a rare bronze of outstanding quality. Incl. certificate of origin and provenance. TL Analysis is available on request. Pick up in the gallery only, no delivery.

Lit.: Philip J. C. Dark, An introduction to Benin art and technology, Oxford 1973. Phillips, T. (ed), Africa. The Art of a Continent, 1999. Paula Girshick Ben-Amos, The art of Benin, 1995. Ekpo Eyo, Frank Willett, Kunstschätze aus Alt-Nigeria, Mainz 1983. Barbara Plankensteiner (Hg.), Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007. Ezra, Kate. Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992. Plass, Margaret Barton, William B. Fagg, and Roy Sieber. 7 metals of Africa. Philadelphia: University Museum, 1959. Robbins, Warren M. African Art in American Collections. L'art africain dans les collections americaines. New York: F.A. Praeger, 1966. Indiana University Art Museum. Royal Benin. Bloomington, 1980. Kaplan Flora S. Dr., ed. Images of power: Art of the Royal Court of Benin. New York: Grey Art Gallery, New York University, 1981. Dark, Philip J.C. An Illustrated Catalogue of Benin Art. Boston: G. K. Hall & Co., 1982, no. Z2/77. Herbert, Eugenia W. Red Gold: Copper Arts of Africa. South Hadley, MA: Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, 1984; Felix von Luschan: Die Altertümer von Benin, Band 1, pagee 310 ff, Band 3 Tafeln 79.

Every buyer of an art object, regardless whether it is made of wood, terra-cotta or bronze, must be aware that from a European legal perspective, traditional African art usually came from the respective African country of origin with insufficient export documents. Galerie Wolfgang Jaenicke, Berlin, tries to do justice to this dilemma by acting with the greatest possible transparency. The export policy of African states is problematic for art historical research, since African and European dealers usually work covertly due to diffuse legal situations and important information that was passed on from trade to science before 1970 tends to be lost.

In case of uncertainties, please contact the managing director of Jaenicke-Njoya GmbH, Wolfgang Jaenicke. It is in the interest of the gallery to clarify any questionable situation with all available means.

sold

Height: 57 cm
Weight: 23 kg