H x W x D: 28.5 x 4.2 x 19 cm (11 1/4 x 1 5/8 x 7 1/2 in.)
Type:
Sculpture
Geography:
Abomey, Benin
Date:
Late 19th-early 20th century
Label Text:
Staffs and ceremonial weapons are used to identify royal messengers and are used to mark rhythms in royal dances. Each king selected a symbol of his rule. For example, the shark)was the emblem of Behanzin, who ruled between 1889 and 1894. It refers to the meaning of his motto that like the shark, he would not surrender any of his kingdom.
Description:
Brass staff finial, curved and decorated with rosettes and heart motifs and surmounted by figure of a fish.
Provenance:
Paul and Ruth Tishman, New York
Exhibition History:
Currents: Water in African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., June 2016-ongoing
Artful Animals, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., July 1, 2009-July 25, 2010
Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, October 16, 1968-January 5, 1969; The High Museum of Art, Atlanta; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, August 31-November 1, 1970; University of Texas College of Fine Arts, Austin; City Art Museum, St. Louis, August 20-October 17, 1971; Des Moines Art Center; Huntington Galleries, Huntington, WV
Masterpieces of African Art: Tishman Collection, Israel Museum, Spertus Gallery, Jerusalem, Spring-Summer 1967
Published References:
Muze'on Yisra'el. 1967. Masterpieces of African Art: Tishman Collection. Jerusalem: The Israel Museum, no. 111.
Sieber, Roy and Arnold Rubin. 1968. Sculpture of Black Africa: The Paul Tishman Collection. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, p. 74, no. 76.
Content Statement:
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