Item.

Superb Oba Of Benin Attendant With Ekpokin Gift Box. Fine Patina. 49cm. Nigeria. This figure is part of a vast body of work described today described as the Benin Bronzes.

The Benin Bronzes are a group of more than a thousand metal plaques and sculptures 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 the Edo people of Nigeria.

Origin.

Edo People of Nigeria.

Description.

Super  example of attendanf to the Oba of Benin holding a  cylindrical box called an Ekpokin. It is usual for the attendant to be a royal priest also. The figure is quite a large and prominent example approacbing two feet in height.

Figure is cast in bronze using the lost-wax cast method Figure plays side-blown horn; has hair plaits on either side of a tiered helmet-style headwear.

The attendant figure is adorned wirh Leopard's tooth collar, coral bead necklaces, multiple bracelets and patterned wrap-around skirt with ornate sash to side.

The figure hold a large cylindrical box, called an Ekpokin, that is used to present gifts to the Oba of  Benin.

Amazing and lifelike detailing with excellent form, balance and symmetry throughout.

Fine and unique patination with a distinct burnished sheen.

Some areas of minor metal degradation and thinning but a solid and excellent figure throughout in excellent collector condition.

The quality and finesse of this Benin bronze attendant figure,  with Ekpokin box, is rare to come across today and testimony to our ability to find  the finest authentic Benin bronzes still available today because of our presence on the ground in the home of creation, ethnographic significance and use of these fascinating treasures.

Please note that this digure is an authentic Benin bronze creation field-collected by Yemisi Gallery in Edo State which is the current home of the ancient Benin empire.

The figure is  made with same traditional lost wax method and incredible skills as the first of the Benin bronzes created several hundred years ago. Thank you for looking.

Use.

This stunning figure depicts one of the many attendants in the retinue of the Oba (king) of Benin.

He is holding an Ekpokin box used to present gifts , such as soil from a land Benin warriors has conquered in battle.

This figure, and many like it, might have been found on altars in the Benin royal court of the late sixteenth/early seventeenth century dedicated to the veneration of the Oba and his ancestors.

Measurement.

49cm high x 17cm wide.

Weight.

7.5kg approximately.

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 and heavy creations, directly from where they were field-collected as this saves duplication of cost and effort for us. We always use UPS trackable service.

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