Kingdom of Benin - Bronze plaque - Edo - Nigeria
02
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00
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45
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24
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Current bid
€ 31
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 170 - € 200
 | €31 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €7 | |
| €1 |
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Royaume du Bénin is a bronze plaque from the Edo people of Nigeria and is a reproduction dating to the late 20th century.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Nigeria
Edo
African Bronze
Height: 330mm
Width: 265mm
Depth: 20mm
Weight: 2650g
This 33 cm-tall relief plaque belongs to the famous tradition of the Benin Kingdom bronzes (located in present-day Nigeria, not to be confused with the modern Republic of Benin).
This rectangular relief plaque format is the exclusive artistic and historical signature of the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom, primarily produced between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Here are the details concerning its stylistic origin and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Iconography
The equestrian figure (the Oba or a war chief): The plaque depicts a high dignitary, probably a king (Oba) or a prestigious war chief, mounted on a horse. In Benin art, the horse is a symbol of absolute power, wealth and military authority, as this animal, imported, was extremely rare and costly.
The symbols of power: The rider wears a textured tunic reminiscent of chainmail armor or ritual garments made of coral beads, as well as a decorated helmet. He brandishes in one hand a spear or a trident, symbolizing his martial prowess.
The carved floral background: The plaque’s background is entirely decorated with incised four-petal flower motifs (often called "river leaves"). This recurring motif in Benin art refers to Olokun, the god of the sea, wealth and fertility.
The mounting holes: Four circular holes pierced in the corners of the plaque are clearly visible.
2. Use and Significance: The Chronicles of the Royal Palace
These bronze plaques (which are technically brass cast using the lost-wax process) had a precise political, historical and architectural function:
Architectural decoration: These plaques were commissioned by the Oba to be nailed directly onto the wide wooden pillars of the immense royal palace of Benin City.
Visual archives of the court: Collectively, these hundreds of plaques fixed in the palace functioned like an illustrated history book. They documented the genealogies of the kings, military victories, receptions of foreign ambassadors (notably the Portuguese) and the organization of court rituals.
Affirmation of the divine right: By displaying these durable and unalterable representations in bronze, the Oba manifested his military power and his divine origin in the eyes of his subjects and visitors.
In summary, this piece is a replica or testimony of the remarkable court art of the Benin Kingdom, originally conceived as an architectural cladding element intended to glorify the exploits of the royal dynasty.
The items are sent with a tracking number.
Delivery to France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery within the European Union by Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery by Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the entire World.
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateNigeria
Edo
African Bronze
Height: 330mm
Width: 265mm
Depth: 20mm
Weight: 2650g
This 33 cm-tall relief plaque belongs to the famous tradition of the Benin Kingdom bronzes (located in present-day Nigeria, not to be confused with the modern Republic of Benin).
This rectangular relief plaque format is the exclusive artistic and historical signature of the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom, primarily produced between the 16th and 17th centuries.
Here are the details concerning its stylistic origin and traditional use:
1. Stylistic Characteristics and Iconography
The equestrian figure (the Oba or a war chief): The plaque depicts a high dignitary, probably a king (Oba) or a prestigious war chief, mounted on a horse. In Benin art, the horse is a symbol of absolute power, wealth and military authority, as this animal, imported, was extremely rare and costly.
The symbols of power: The rider wears a textured tunic reminiscent of chainmail armor or ritual garments made of coral beads, as well as a decorated helmet. He brandishes in one hand a spear or a trident, symbolizing his martial prowess.
The carved floral background: The plaque’s background is entirely decorated with incised four-petal flower motifs (often called "river leaves"). This recurring motif in Benin art refers to Olokun, the god of the sea, wealth and fertility.
The mounting holes: Four circular holes pierced in the corners of the plaque are clearly visible.
2. Use and Significance: The Chronicles of the Royal Palace
These bronze plaques (which are technically brass cast using the lost-wax process) had a precise political, historical and architectural function:
Architectural decoration: These plaques were commissioned by the Oba to be nailed directly onto the wide wooden pillars of the immense royal palace of Benin City.
Visual archives of the court: Collectively, these hundreds of plaques fixed in the palace functioned like an illustrated history book. They documented the genealogies of the kings, military victories, receptions of foreign ambassadors (notably the Portuguese) and the organization of court rituals.
Affirmation of the divine right: By displaying these durable and unalterable representations in bronze, the Oba manifested his military power and his divine origin in the eyes of his subjects and visitors.
In summary, this piece is a replica or testimony of the remarkable court art of the Benin Kingdom, originally conceived as an architectural cladding element intended to glorify the exploits of the royal dynasty.
The items are sent with a tracking number.
Delivery to France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery within the European Union by Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery by Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the entire World.
We speak english.
mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Bronze plaque
Ethnic group/ culture
Edo
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Period
Late 20th century
Material
African bronze
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Kingdom of Benin
Authenticity
Reproduction/replica
Sold by
