BENIN STYLE OBJECTS ARCHIVES, NIGERIA

Old Benin bronzes are very rare. Although similar in style to many older works, the pieces below are 20th C. and were made to be sold.

The objects below are SOLD. They are left here for reference and education purposes.


  

BENIN
Post 1
SOLD

  

BENIN
Post 2
SOLD

 

BENIN
Object 5
SOLD

   

BENIN
Object 4
SOLD


 

BENIN
Sword 6
SOLD

 

BENIN
Sword 7
SOLD

BENIN
Cock 8
SOLD
 

BENIN
Cock 9
SOLD

 

BENIN
Cock 10
SOLD



BENIN
Wooden Bird 14
15.75" high
SOLD



 

BENIN
Bracelet 11 
4.75" long
SOLD

 

 BENIN
Wood Object 13
17.75" high
SOLD

 

BENIN STYLE
Object 15
21" high
SOLD

Photographs © Hamill Gallery

BENIN STYLE BRONZE OBJECTS, Nigeria

Although similar to many older works, these are all 20th C. pieces and probably made to be sold.

The extraordinary bronzes of the Benin kingdom in what is now Nigeria exhibit a virtuosity and sophistication of style that has astonished the Western world since they were visited in the 15th Century. Their work was brought to Europe following a punitive expedition by the British in 1897, causing a great sensation. The people of Benin, called Bini, are descended from the Ife, also known for their remarkable bronzes. Almost all Benin art was created to honor the king , or Oba, who has reigned, with his ancestors, from the 15th century. Styles have changed over the years. Although similar to many older works, these are all 20th C. pieces. Each is still sculpted by hand, then cast in bronze by the lost wax process.

The varied objects on this page include two altar posts, each of which is fitted in the middle of two halves. There are three pieces that were placed on ancestral altars and two ceremonial swords, as seen held by the Oba on many figures and plaques. The cocks were placed on altars honoring past queen mothers.

GO TO BENIN OBJECTS PAGE

GO TO BENIN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO BENIN LEOPARDS ARCHIVES PAGE (ALL SOLD)

GO TO BENIN BRONZE PLAQUES ARCHIVES PAGE (ALL SOLD)

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORKS EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN METALWORK PAGE

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