This is the rating and price for Benin Bronze Altar Choker Head, 1949

Description : Africa, Nigeria, Edo, Court of Benin, ca. mid 19th to early 20th century CE. An impressive bronze cast choker head depicting an Oba (king of Benin) wearing a netlike coral cap with aliform flaps and a high coral beaded choker. The elaborate coral choker and aliform coral headdress are significant royal court attributes that identify this as the head of an Oba. The opening at the top of the head was created for elephant teeth or a sculpted elephant tusk carved to depict the many accomplishments of the king. The visage is nicely rendered with thick-lidded open eyes, six decorative scars above them, a straight nose, slightly parted lips, and a row of circular motifs across the cheeks. A piece like this would have been commissioned by a newly enthroned oba to stand on an altar and commemorate a previous oba, most likely his father. The oba of Benin rules via divine right and serves as the being through which his deified royal ancestors protect and invigorate the kingdom. In Benin, the head is a prominent symbol representing an individual's ability to progress successfully through life and develop himself so that he may one day be a revered and helpful ancestor. The sculptural representation of of Benin rulers with aliform head ornamentation like we see in this example was first introduced by Oba Osemwede (1816-46). Similar examples may be found in the British Museum, published in Leon Underwood's Bronzes of West Africa - figure 31 - (London, 1949) and William B. FAGG: Bildwerke aus Nigeria, München 1963, S. 45, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum published in Felix von LUSCHAN: Die Altertümer von Benin, Band 1-3, Berlin 1919, Tafel 59, The Perls Collection in The Metropolitain Museum of Art, New York published in Kate EZRA: Royal Art of Benin. The Perls Collection in The Metropolitain Museum of Art, New York 1992, S. 36, and several other museum collections. Size: 7 in diameter x 13.75 H (17.8 cm x 34.9 cm) Provenance: Ex-Sarkisian collection, Denver, CO acquired before 1960 All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #117704
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Estimate (low-high) : 1000 USD-1500 USD It's free to register now to view!

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