A fragmentary Bronze Plaque, a copy in the style of Benin, called "Ama", a crocodile fetching a fish.

KathrynWisocki Gunsch, The Benin Plaques, patterns of authorship, page 74, see anex 2 flange patterns by sub-type, in comparison photo, photo 3 and 5 of this exemplare.

Until we have no clear criteria for age attribution, we can only judge Benin-style bronzes on their quality of craftsmanship, regardless of their state of preservation. In any case, a comparison between the specimen in the National Museum of Benin and the bronze collected here, which also shows considerable damages, which we have documented in the following photos, is worthwhile, but it can't answer the question of authenticity and age.

Another argument why copies of Benin bronzes in private collections should be included in the Digital Benin catalogue. They could not only offer an important tool to examine the retrospective elements of the Benin Bronze Foundry more closely and at the same time lead to more transparency. Specimens acquired through criminal acts could also be identified more easily in this way, since the Art Loss Register fundamentally rejects the registration of Ife and Benin objects, which is certainly also due to the incomprehensible reversal of guilt in the restitution debate, as demanded in the Sarre/Savoy Report. This does science a disservice, as it only encourages a tendency that leads to an opaque black market.

"Found undocumented in the gallery and later documented as retrospective object" National Mueum Benin City.

Source: Digital Benin, Catalogue No: 79B:R:47

sold

Height: 53 cm
Length: 35,5 cm
Weight: 5,4 kg