Leopard - ife - Bini - Nigeria (No reserve price)
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€ 1
No reserve price
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
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Léopard, a bronze sculpture from Nigeria in the Bini Ife tradition, a reproduction measuring 36 cm high and 31 cm wide; provenance not specified and the piece is not sold with a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Bronze objects from Ifé, created by the sculptor-artists of Benin, were associated with courtly art. These works were thus destined for the king, called the oba, or for the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Benin. Since the 14th century, many objects were produced, following the lost-wax casting technique: sacred altars for the king, commemorative heads, statues, bells, jewelry… Among these objects, the famous narrative plaques, recounting scenes of wars and hung on the walls of the palace. Some objects were used to enter into contact with the spirit of the oba, recently deceased.
In 1897, British troops plundered and set fire to the palace of the Kingdom of Benin and brought these artifacts to Europe. Today, they are scattered in the national collections of many Western countries. These collections are now the subject of provenance inquiries to anticipate their restitution. However, some artifacts were legally acquired, within the context of a transaction, which is why some private collections also hold them.
Bronze objects from Ifé, created by the sculptor-artists of Benin, were associated with courtly art. These works were thus destined for the king, called the oba, or for the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Benin. Since the 14th century, many objects were produced, following the lost-wax casting technique: sacred altars for the king, commemorative heads, statues, bells, jewelry… Among these objects, the famous narrative plaques, recounting scenes of wars and hung on the walls of the palace. Some objects were used to enter into contact with the spirit of the oba, recently deceased.
In 1897, British troops plundered and set fire to the palace of the Kingdom of Benin and brought these artifacts to Europe. Today, they are scattered in the national collections of many Western countries. These collections are now the subject of provenance inquiries to anticipate their restitution. However, some artifacts were legally acquired, within the context of a transaction, which is why some private collections also hold them.
Details
Indigenous object name
ife
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Bini
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Material
Bronze
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Leopard
Height
36 cm
Width
31 cm
Authenticity
Reproduction/replica
Sold by
