Item.
Outstanding and truly exceptional Plaque depicting two royal attendant like in service of the Oba of Benin or his monarchical affiliates. This plaque is part of what is 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.
Stunning example of a Benin bronze plaque showing two royal attendants figures rendering service to the King or Oba of Benin or highly-placed members of his Monarchy.
As with all our Benin bronzes,due to their origin as authentic examples, detailing is stunning and finely depicted.
At 54cm tall, this plaque is one of the most prominent and visually appealing to be found for sale today anywhere.
The plaque is very heavy at around 10kg. Base plate shows characteristic river flower petal motif that are a common theme with many Benin bronze plaques.
The attendants figure ,raised above the baseplate using the lost wax method of bronze-casting, are well-crafted with good form and balance. Patina of the plaque is oxidised with genuine age and wear.
Attendant figures wears the iconic royal high choker of layers of coral beads, covering the neck and chin. and spiked neck armor. The headwear of the warrior is of a protective variety used in combat.
Attendant figures wears loin cloth intricately designed with motifs and patterns. They both hold what is believed to be patterned handheld fans they use to direct cool breeze to their King or his royal affiliates.
Some areas of minor metal degradation and thinning, that I have tried to show in the pictures, but a solid creation throughout in excellent collector condition.
The quality and finesse of this plaque is rare to come across today and testimony to our ability to find the finest authentic Benin bronzes still available anywhere because of our presence on the ground in the home of creation, ethnographic significance and use of these fascinating treasures.
Overall, a beautiful and significant collector item offered at the best price possible for genuine Benin artifact of this size and scale. It will rise in value with time making it a wise investment financially also. A complement to any collection however prestigious such is.
Please note that this is an authentic Benin bronze creation field-collected by Yemisi Gallery in Edo State which is the current home of the ancient Benin empire.
We strictly only sell Benin bronze artifacts obtained from their original place of creation and use crafted by artisans of the famous Benin bronze casters guild.
This plaque 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.
These Benin Bronze plaques , and many other items made of Bronze, decorated the Royal palace and general court of the Benin Kingdom. They were crafted by very skilled artisan , masterful at working with metal, as gifts to the Oba of Benin and his many Chiefs and royal affiliates.
Plaques tell stories about life around the King of Benin, his monarchy and court. They may depict valiant Warriors, attendant figures, Court musicians or any people or theme relevant during the reign of respective Obas of Benin.
Measurement.
55cm high x 35cm wide x 10cm deep.
Weight.
11kg approx.
Why buy Benin bronze from Yemisi Gallery?
The ancient Benin Kingdom is famous for inspiring the production of the Benin Bronzes several centuries ago.
The Benin bronzes were produced exclusively for commemoratively exalting the Oba of Benin. They therefore adorned his palace and royal Courts.
In 1897, the Benin Kingdom fell under attack from a British Punitive expedition so-called because it was dispatched to punish the Oba of Benin after an earlier British expedition had been ambushed.
The punitive expedition precipitated the end of the Benin Kingdom eventually leading it to be absorbed into colonial Nigeria.
The Benin bronzes numbering hundreds , and other treasures from the palace and court of the Oba of Benin, were looted and taken outside African.
The Oba of Benin at the time, Ovonramwen, would be sent into exile where he would die in 1914.
His son, Eweka II, ascended the throne in 1914 the year of his father's death. At the time Eweka II ascended the throne, brass and bronze casting had already become an established tourist industry.
Oba Eweka II did a lot to revive the art of casting. He re-established the shrines of his father.
He reconvened a new guild of Benin bronze casters to make new ritualistic objects and reproduction of the Benin bronzes that had adorned the palaces of his ancestors.
In 1916, a shed was built near the palace for artists and members of the new Benin bronze casters guild to make and sell their works.
This was effectively a signal that anyone interested could purchase Bronze work produced post-punitive expedition of 1897.
At Yemisi Gallery we work exclusively with members of the Benin bronze casters guild, created by Oba Eweka II, and their offsprings they have passed on the casting skills to, for our legal purchase of authentic Benin bronze.
We are then able to offer them for sale to collectors worldwide at excellent prices for genuine Benin Bronzes created by artists possessing the finest Benin bronze casting skills till today
It is why we have the most exclusive and best Benin bronzes on ebay.
Postage information.
This item, because of size and weight, will be will be packaged with extra protective cushioning material to ensure it arrives undamaged. considerable size and weight of item is reflected in the postage charge.
Delivery 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 items such as this example, 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..