Description: Item. Outstanding and truly exceptional Plaque depicting an "Emada" , i.e general attendant and weapon-bearer of the Oba of Benin, holding a Leopard in his left hand.This figure is part of what is today described as the Benin Bronzes. TheBenin Bronzesare a group of more than a thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of theKingdom of Beninin what is nowthe Midwest area of Nigeria. Collectively, the Benin bronze objects form the best-known examples ofBenin art and were created from the thirteenth century onwards by artists of theEdo people of Nigeria. Origin. Edo People of Nigeria. Description. This is a fine and very rare example of a Benin bronze plaque , showing an Emada , weapon-bearer and attendant to the Oba of Benin, holding a mythical Leopard animal. Detailing is stunning and, at 56cm tall, this example is prominent and visually appealing. The plaque is very heavy at around 11kg. The Emada attendant figure is naked, as was traditional then, with tiered hairstyle hosting side extensions terminating with beads adornment. The Emada figure has facial, torso, arms and legs scarification marks believed to identify his status as a special attendant and weapon-bearer to the Oba of Benin. The Emada wears the Choker-like and high neck coral beads jewellery, covering the chin, associated with the Oba of Benin and his Court. He holds a Leopard, close to his hips and thigh, in his left hand. The Leopard was a revered animal in past Benin Kingdom and viewed as the "King of the Forest". Plaque is genuinely old and an authentic example. Base plate of plaque is decorated with symbolic engraved river flower motifs and indented pinpoint dots. Corners of baseplate show four fan-like circular relief features with grooves and ridges. Overall, Plaque is a fine and well-crafted example with great attention to detailing plus good form, symmetry and balance. Patina of the plaque is oxidised with genuine age and wear. 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 absolute best to be found anywhere. The quality and finesse of this plaque , depicticting an Emada figure holding a Leopard, 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. 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 may show valiant Warriors, adorned with traditional accoutrementsunique to the ancient Benin empire, or attendants of the Oba assisting him diligently. They may also feature different themes depicting life in the Benin Kingdom of Old. The plaques are especially valuable because they are representative of life around the Oba of Benin, his monarchy and Kingdom. Measurement. 56cmhigh x 28cm 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..
Price: 1200 GBP
Location: Dagenham
End Time: 2024-12-13T13:36:38.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 GBP
Product Images
Item Specifics
Returns Accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Primary Material: Bronze
Antique: Yes
Original/ Repro: Original
Product: Benin bronze Plaque.
Region of Origin: African
Age: Post-1940
