Lot 142B
West Africa, Kingdom of Benin (modern-day Nigeria), Edo culture, ca. 20th century CE. A commanding brass sculpture representing a court musician of the Benin Kingdom, shown mid-performance as he blows into a trumpet, likely referencing the elaborately carved elephant tusks historically used in court rituals. Cast in the round and standing on a patterned square pedestal, the figure is richly detailed and imbued with regal symbolism. He wears a short wraparound leopard pelt skirt adorned with a low-relief leopard face - an emblem of the Oba's divine authority. In Benin iconography, leopards are metaphors for royal power, and wearing their skin signifies proximity to the sovereign. The figure's upper arms and neck are encircled with layered strands of beaded regalia, referencing precious coral, a material reserved for individuals of high status within the royal hierarchy. This sculpture was likely commissioned by an Oba for courtly display, its trumpet symbolically summoning viewers to behold the majesty of Benin rule. Size: 13.5" W x 39" H (34.3 cm x 99.1 cm)
The Benin bronzes and brass sculptures represent one of the most renowned artistic traditions of West Africa. Produced by specialized guilds in the Kingdom of Benin (in present-day southern Nigeria), these works were cast using the lost-wax method and date back as early as the 13th century. They adorned the royal palace, commemorated ancestors, and documented courtly life, serving as visual records of dynastic power and spiritual authority. Often commissioned by the Oba (king), the bronzes depicted warriors, nobles, deities, and musicians, reinforcing the divine status and hierarchical structure of the Edo court. The figure's trumpet, skirt, and adornment collectively assert his elite role within the Oba's palace, where music played a central role in processions and ceremony.
Provenance: private Fort Collins, Colorado, USA collection acquired around 1970
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#196250
- Condition: Casting imperfections and wear from age. Perforations in the underside of the skirt leading into the hollow body. Losses to lattice work on the base. Chips, abrasions, and indentations throughout. The arms appear to be reattached /welded at the shoulders with visible break lines. Dark patina and oxidation. Despite flaws, this is a solid and stable piece.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |