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Dimitri André

A Bronze Horseman in the Style of Benin, rectangular base; greenish, partly encrusted surface.

This distinguished bronze depicts a mounted warrior-prince, emblematic of both historical memory and courtly ideology in the Benin Kingdom (present-day Nigeria). The figure is seated astride a horse, an animal that, at the time of its introduction, symbolized prestige, military power, and cosmological authority. The prince is rendered in full ceremonial regalia: his multi-layered crown, intricate jewelry, and elaborately patterned attire convey princely rank and the sophisticated visual language of Benin court culture. The bronze surface, now greenish and partially encrusted, bears witness to centuries of patination, enhancing the tactile and aesthetic presence of the object.

The figure is commonly associated with Oranmiyan, a legendary prince of the 13th century who migrated from the Yoruba capital of Ife. Oranmiyan is credited with founding the second dynasty of Benin and introducing the horse to the region, an innovation that transformed both military organization and courtly display. According to oral tradition, the name “Benin” itself derives from a term used by Oranmiyan to designate the settlement that became the kingdom’s political heart. In this sense, the bronze functions not only as a portrait of a historical figure but also as a material affirmation of dynastic legitimacy, linking successive rulers to the heroic founding moment of their lineage.

Benin bronzes occupy a distinctive place in African art history, combining technical mastery with rich symbolic content. Cast using the lost-wax technique, these works demonstrate extraordinary skill in rendering human anatomy, animal forms, and ornate surface decoration. Horsemen, in particular, symbolize the consolidation of royal authority: the equestrian motif communicates control, martial valor, and the ability to mediate between the earthly and spiritual realms. In ritual contexts, such bronzes were often displayed in the palace to honor ancestral rulers, commemorate dynastic founders, and affirm the oba’s political and spiritual power.

The prince’s regalia further reinforces these themes. The multi-layered crown signifies not only social hierarchy but also cosmic alignment, as rulers were believed to embody the order of the universe on earth. Jewelry and ceremonial dress act as visual markers of both wealth and ritual competence, marking the figure as an idealized model of princely authority. Together with the horse, these elements situate the bronze within a sophisticated network of visual, political, and symbolic codes that define Benin’s courtly art.

Stylistically, this work reveals clear connections to the artistic traditions of Ife, the Yoruba city-state from which Oranmiyan originated. Like Ife bronzes, it demonstrates careful attention to anatomical proportion, naturalistic modeling of the human figure, and a refined treatment of surface detail. Yet, Benin artists adapted these forms to serve a distinct political and ceremonial agenda: while Ife sculptures often emphasize individual portraiture, Benin bronzes prioritize dynastic representation, hierarchical scale, and the display of power through equestrian imagery. The result is a hybrid aesthetic that honors Yoruba antecedents while asserting a uniquely Benin visual identity.

This bronze horseman, therefore, operates on multiple levels: as a historical commemoration of Oranmiyan’s arrival and dynasty foundation, as a ceremonial object embedded within court rituals, and as a testament to the technical and aesthetic sophistication of Benin’s bronze-casting tradition. Its enduring patina and meticulously articulated details offer modern viewers a tangible connection to the kingdom’s storied past, evoking both the material and ideological power of one of Africa’s most celebrated artistic cultures.

CAB37116

Bronze - Fair condition

A bronze sculpture - Benin - Nigeria

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

Wednesday

tomorrow

Tuesday

Friday

Thursday

4 October

today

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

Germany

Spain

The Netherlands

Italy

Portugal

Luxembourg

Austria

Switzerland

Greece

United States

Bulgaria

Finland

United Kingdom

Hong Kong

Hungary

Poland

Romania

Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

L (over 80 cm)

XS (under 10 cm)

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Sculpture

Dance mask

Tribal weaponry and shields

Mask

Painting

Fetish figure

Tribal textiles and clothing

Textile

Weights

Statue

Spoon

Vessel

Head

Decorative ornament

Print

Statuette

Throwing weapon

Whistle

Carving

Figurehead

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Country of origin

DR Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Congo

Côte d’Ivoire

Gabon

Côte d'Ivoire

Benin

Ghana

Cameroon

Togo

Africa

Angola

Burkina Faso

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Chad

Tanzania

South Africa

Sudan

Ethiopia

Liberia

Niger

Kenya

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Leather

Brass

Metal

Iron

Copper

Iron (wrought)

Glass

Stone

Aluminium

Bone

Cast iron

Textiles

Cotton

Iron (cast/wrought)

Patinated bronze

Ebony

Hardwood

Wood (Thunya)

A lustro (ceramic)

12kt gold

Wrought iron

Gender

Unisex

Women

Condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very good

As new - unused

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Fine

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Very good condition, see description

Needs restoration

Excellent

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Excellent condition, barely used with minimal signs of wear

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Very good +

Extras

No extra's

Without original box

Dust jacket

Period

Mid 20th century

1930-1940

Late 20th century

Early 20th century

1940-1950

1920-1930

2000-2010

Late 19th century

1960-1970

1950-1960

2020+

1850-1900

1900-1910

1400-1450

1990-2000

1980-1990

1910-1920

1970-1980

1800-1850

1500-1550

1750-1800

Early 19th century

2010-2020

Mid 19th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Portrait

Day scene

Nature

Pop Culture

Interior scene

Style

Naive Art

African & Tribal Art

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A bronze sculpture - Benin - Nigeria

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