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Julien Gauthier

A head of Olokun of Ife, Nigeria, But there are different opinions about this bronze head. Another opinion, based on oral tradition, assumes that this is the portrait of a Queen of the Ooni.
Life sized and cast using a lost wax technique. A crown like headdress with a circular crest, and a tubular band that runs across the head ornamented with small studs running horizontally on the top and the bottom of the band. The face with a delicate features: almond shaped eyes, small nose and full lips, with refined overall patterns. The neck is ringed which is a sign of beauty across many Ife and Benin heads. The holes in the neck were used to attach it to a wooden marionette, as described and shown by Frank Willett, Ife, pages Signs of oxidation, the neck is partly fragmentary, Certificate of origin and provenance, incl. wooden stand.

According to the oral traditions of the Yoruba people, Ife is the place where life and civilisation began. Ife is regarded as the legendary homeland of theYoruba-speaking peoples and its sacred ruler, the Ooni, is still revered as the descendant of the original creator gods. Ife is located in Osun State in modern south-western Nigeria.

The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.
 


Bronze - Fair condition

A Bronze head sculpture - Head - Benin - Nigeria

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

Wednesday

23 August

Sunday

Tuesday

tomorrow

Thursday

today

Monday

21 August

Budget

From

Location

France

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Italy

Germany

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United Kingdom

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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 sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Tribal masks

Figure

Sculpture

Dance mask

Mask

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Painting

Fetish figure

Tribal weaponry and shields

Tribal textiles and clothing

Walking stick

Dagger

Bead

Statue

Carving

Necklace

Print

Sword

Short sword

Shield

Decorative ornament

Ancestor figure

Weights

Country of origin

DR Congo

Mali

Côte d'Ivoire

Congo

Nigeria

Gabon

Côte d’Ivoire

Benin

Cameroon

Burkina Faso

Ghana

Ethiopia

Angola

Togo

Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tanzania

Chad

Niger

Kenya

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Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Iron (wrought)

Glass

Leather

Copper

Metal

Iron (cast/wrought)

Alloy

Textile

Iron (cast)

Bone

Brass

Stone

Steel

Textiles

Cotton

Iron

Hardwood

Silver

Aluminium

Bakelite

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Patinated bronze

Gender

Unisex

Women

Condition

Good condition

Excellent condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Excellent

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

As new - unused

Very good condition, see description

Needs restoration

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Very good

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very good condition - slightly used with small signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Very good condition, very light signs of wear

Very poor - showing significant decay, loss of original texture or solidity of the material

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

Used but like new

Very good +

Extras

No extra's

Period

Late 20th century

Mid 20th century

1930-1940

Early 20th century

2000-2010

1940-1950

1920-1930

1950-1960

Late 19th century

2020+

1900-1910

1960-1970

1850-1900

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1970-1980

2010-2020

1990-2000

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1800-1850

1450-1500

1500-1550

1700-1750

Mid 19th century

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Certification

No laboratory report

Subject

Architecture

Style

Antique

Contemporary

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Modern

Folk Art

Realism

Abstract

African & Tribal Art

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A Bronze head sculpture - Head - Benin - Nigeria

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