Ancient Artifacts & Antiquities, May
Lot 421:
Bronze African Tribal Benin Warrior Statue - 1950's or Older
Bronze African Tribal Benin Warrior Statue – Tribal Art from the Edo or Benin People of Nigeria. 1950’s or Older. Exhibits good patination and excellent craftsmanship suggesting it is older. A bit of history on Benin Bronzes – The British looted the Benin Bronzes in 1897 during a violent invasion of Benin City, the capital of the historic Kingdom of Benin (now part of Nigeria). This event, often referred to as the "Benin Expedition" or "Punitive Expedition, " resulted in the theft of thousands of artworks, including bronze plaques, sculptures, and other treasures. The British did this in retaliation for the killing of a British official.These artifacts were distributed globally, with many ending up in museums and private collections. It’s a poignant chapter in history, highlighting the impact of colonialism on cultural heritage. That is not to suggest this is one of the ones taken back in that period. The Edo people continued making bronzes and still do to this day. It has been a part of their culture for hundreds of years. This statue measures a little over 15 1/2" tall.
Condition: Authentic
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