figure (communication artefact); single figure (figure (art))

Cast bronze human figure, in a standing pose with an upright sword held in the right hand.

Figures like this would be placed on 'ancestral' altars in the Royal Palace in Ancient Benin. These commememorative bronzes would be a way to honour ones ancestors; this figure seems to be a high ranking man as shown by the rows of coral beads he is wearing, as the Oba owned all coral in Benin and would gift it as rewards to people in his court. These figures would not be made to look identical to the person they represented, but instead would highlight their role and function.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
HC.1999.894.1
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 240 x 80 x 55 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
brass
CATEGORY
Education Handling Collection: Anthropology
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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