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Item.

Superb and authentic Benin Bronze "Okukor" Cockerel. Famous And Stunning Example. 51cm. NIGERIA.

Okukor is the name given to a bronze statue of a Cock from the Ancient Benin Empire in what is today Nigeria, West Africa.

This is part of what is today described as the Benin Bronzes. TheBenin Bronzes are a group of more than a thousand metal plaques, sculptures and utilitarian creations that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin in what is now the Midwest area of Nigeria.

Collectively, the Benin bronze objects form the best-known examples of Benin art and were created from the thirteenth century onwards by artists of theEdo people of Nigeria. Origin. Edo People of Nigeria.

Description.

A stunning, highly detailed and outstanding example of one of the most famous Benin bronzes made by the highly acclaimed Benin bronze casters guild with work dating back centuries.

The original "Okukor" or Cockerel was held by Jesus College, Cambridge from 1905 to 2021 after it was taken from the Kingdom of Benin during the"punitive expedition" of 1897.

The "punitive expedition" of 1897 led to the exile of the Oba Of Benin from his Kingdom.

His Son Eweka 11, the new King, re-established the Shrines of his father and created a new Bronze casting guild to recreate all work lost during the Punitive expedition.

Crucially, members of the new Benin bronze casters guild created post-1914, when Eweka II ascended the throne, were allowed to make and sell their works directly to the public.

Hence the reason collectors worldwide are still able to collect authentic Benin bronzes today like this fine "Okukor" cockerel example from Yemisi Gallery.

Lifelike example made with qood skills, from an accomplishing Benin bronze caster, showing fine details.

Commendable form, symmetry and balance throughout .

Genuinely old example hence some areas of metal degradation and thinning but a solid collectible throughout.

Overall, a beautiful and significant collector item that is a very special tribal treasure.

Please note that this is an authentic Benin bronze creation I obtained myself in Edo State which is the current home of the ancient Benin empire.

This figure is made by the Benin bronze casters guild with same traditional lost wax method and skills as the first of the Benin bronzes created several hundred years ago. Thank you for looking.

Use.

This "Okukor' Cockerel  representation, crafted in bronze or brass, was among several representation of fowls and other esoteric animals placed on ancestral altars commemorating the queen mothers of Benin.

Cocekrel,  Guinea Fowl and Rooster, along with several other animals, are from a varied range sacrificed during rituals honoring royal ancestors.

Sacrificial animals acknowledge that the queen mother is different from other women and shares many powers, unique strenghts and privileges with men.

Their essence, as crucial sacrifice honouring the queen mother, is retained in Benin folklore with their bronze and brass representation that included them in the Bronze ethnographic tale of life in the ancient Benin empire.

Measurement.

51cmhigh x 18cm wide x 42cm deep.

Weight.

10kg approx.

Postage Information.

Please note we are a UK-based seller who trade internationally and mainly by obtaining tribal artifacts directly in their area of creation and use as we rate authenticity higher than anything else per tribal art.

We sometime therefore send items, especially big items, directly from where they were field-collected as this saves duplication of cost and effort for us.

Please allow at least two weeks for delivery after payment is made. Thank you..