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Group of figures, 3 persons

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This group of figures shows one larger and two smaller male figures. The latter do not necessarily have to be interpreted as children, since the art of Benin often represents status through size. This is also supported by the fact that the larger figure wears significantly more beaded jewelry, and is thus to be addressed as a dignitary. Conceivable is a sacrificial scene, which was represented with such figures again and again. Especially from the 19th century, Europeans increasingly report human sacrifices, often by decapitation. The hand of the dignitary rests on the head, the spiritual and personal essence of the other two men. The highly stylized faces, overall poorer craftsmanship and casting quality with a rough surface also argue for a dating to the late period (1840 onwards). Text: Dietmar Neitzke.

Data Provider
Linden-Museum Stuttgart Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde Show original at data provider

Cataloguing data

Cultural attribution
Edo
Object type
Group of figures
Material/Technique
Copper alloy Lost wax process, nailed
Current location
Linden-Museum Stuttgart
Inventory number
033379

Provenance and sources

  • Assignment to a curated holding:
    unknown; 0593
  • Production
    when
    19th century
  • Change of physical control or legal title
    where
    Nigeria
Provenance
It seems that the previous owner wanted to be anonym. The object is always listed in all documents, such as the inventory book, without the name of who they came from. Text: Markus Himmelsbach.

Information about the record

Legal status metadata
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

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