VERY RARE BENIN, WEST AFRICA EARLY 20TH CENTURY ANTIQUE BRONZE HELMETED, BEARDED WARRIOR on HORSEBACK MONUMENTAL, 16 1/2" in OVERALL HEIGHT METAL SCULPTURE, with HOISTED SPEAR,
CHAIN LINK HORSE REINS, on REELING BATTLE HORSE, RESTING on CIRCULAR, FLAT BRONZE RING BASE
[Found in a finely appointed southern New Hampshire fine estate, this undamaged West African bronze sculpture is as it was found in the home it was removed from]
(Circa 1900-1925)
Early 20th century Benin, West Africa, antique tribal cast bronze figures of warriors on horseback
DIMENSIONS:
16 1⁄2" Height x 5 1⁄2" Depth x 12 1⁄2" Width
Weight: 10 lbs. 13 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
For sale is this estate fresh, really spectacular, monumental, quite large, 16 1/2" in overall height, early 20th century Benin, West Africa figurative bronze metal sculpture of a helmeted, bearded warrior on horseback, wielding a spear, mounted on a reeling battle horse. The bronze sculpture is in two parts, with the rider being cast separately from the horse. Both figures have hollowed out bottoms. A link chain is used as reins by the warrior and fall to the right and left of his legs. The horseman lifts a spear over his right shoulder, poised to throw it forward. The surfaces of the bronze have wonderful episodes of minty green verdigris oxidation of the metal, most visible in the low and embedded spots on the forms. The horse, in a fairly exaggerated fashion reels upwards onto his hind legs, as if startled by an unseen adversary, prompting the rider to lift and ready his spear to throw. There are no breaks or repairs (old or new) and the sculpture is entirely complete and undamaged. Magnificent. Clean.
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall antique condition.