Benin City, Edo State / Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, Africa
Accession Date:
28 Aug 1992
Collection Date:
1897
Notes:
Provenience undocumented (kings of the Oranmiyan Dynasty, Benin City, Nigeria, after c. 1821 (probably after mid-19thc) to 1897 dates based on chronology for Benin bronzes established by William Fagg and Philip Dark; Dr John Patrick Howe, England, collected on Punitive Expedition, 1897-; Capt. John S Howe, England, by 1934 - 11/20/61 (sale Sotheby's London. #148, p.40 ill - on loan to British Museum, London, 1934-1961); Joseph Hirshhorn purchase via Gimpel Fils of London, 11/20/61 to 5/17/66. Identification provided by Hirshhorn Museum (HMSG). Vetted by Philip Dark and William Fagg . Dark dated this as post 1820. Exhibited at British Museum, c. 1935-WWII; storage to 1961 (see John W. Picton letter in SI Archives ). Description: solid brass male figure wears close-fitting helmet, short-sleeved shirt, knee-length skirt & boots. Helmet has open diamond-work pattern with erect finial with raised chevron design & flat top, semi-circular crest, floral attachments, tassels & beaded braids. Almond-shaped eyes, wide nose, full lips. Ridged neck band covers chin. Torso covered with chains & bands. Arms at right angle to body, right hand holding unidentified item, left hand a fist. Skirt decorated with low-relief of faces & other designs. Wears decorated weapon at left side. Bottom of right foot "66.5074." Condition: partial loss on finial top. Very heavy.
