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Julien Gauthier

A bronze sheep in the style of the Benin bronzes in the form of an aquamanile, standing on four feet, with a closable opening on its head and a gargoyle in its snout, a very fine work of the stocky, powerful animal with large ears, forward-curved horns, and protruding eyes in the Benin style. An exceptionally beautiful patina, which, in its complexity and varying discolorations, tells a long "story" and testifies to long-lasting signs of use. Depictions of leopards Aquamanile are relatively common but of sheep and rams extremely rare

Aquamanilia, more broadly, are hand-washing vessels shaped like animals or figures, common in both European and African traditions. While in Europe they were used in religious and domestic settings, the Benin examples reflect royal power and ritual significance. Entwistle, Paris, who sold recently an amazing leopard aquamanile, which patina is different, but not less beautiful.

Bronze - Fair condition

Benin - Nigeria

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

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Closing date

Sunday

29 April

Saturday

Tuesday

Friday

Monday

today

3 May

2 May

1 May

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

Germany

The Netherlands

Spain

Austria

Italy

Portugal

United States

Switzerland

Luxembourg

Malta

Romania

Türkiye

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

Tribal currency

Painting

Dance mask

Mask

Tribal textiles and clothing

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Fetish figure

Tribal weaponry and shields

Book

Textile

Dagger

Shield

Bead

Print

Statue

Stool

Tribal mask

Comb

Neck rest

Decorative ornament

Country of origin

DR Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire

Congo

Ghana

Burkina Faso

Gabon

Cameroon

Togo

Benin

Africa

Tanzania

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Angola

Ethiopia

Niger

South Africa

Kenya

Haiti

Chad

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Glass

Patinated bronze

Iron (wrought)

Leather

Brass

Copper

Metal

Steel

Bone

Iron

Aluminium

Iron (cast/wrought)

Textiles

Cotton

Stone

Shell

Bakelite

Silver

Paper

Wicker

Clay

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Fair condition

Excellent condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Good

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

As new - unused

Fair

Good condition, see description

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Needs restoration

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Very good

Excellent

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Very good condition, see description

Overall in good condition

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

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

Fair condition, see description

As new

Overall in good condition with traces of ageing and usage

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Period

Late 20th century

2000-2010

Mid 20th century

Early 20th century

1930-1940

1940-1950

1950-1960

2020+

Late 19th century

1920-1930

1970-1980

1990-2000

1850-1900

1960-1970

1980-1990

2010-2020

1910-1920

1900-1910

1800-1850

Mid 19th century

Early 18th century

20th century

1500-1550

21st century

Early 17th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Pop Culture

Portrait

Cityscape

Summer scene

Male figures

Colonial history

Photography

Religion

Travels

African & Tribal Art

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Benin - Nigeria

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1409 objects

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