West Africa, Nigeria, Kingdom of Benin, 19th century CE. A large brass pendant or pectoral featuring zoomorphic motifs. The pendant is a teardrop shape with an indentation at the top and an integral suspension hole in this area. The peripheries are decorated with a raised rope pattern border. In the center are semi-circular shapes, zoomorphic creatures, a crocodile, and a winged insect. The insect is charming with curled antennae and dotted patterns. Benin is one of the great kingdoms of West Africa, an empire created in a rainforest that spanned over a millennium, famous for their metal artwork, which was made for and worn by elites in the society. The animals depicted often represent symbols of strength or other attributes. Size: 4" L x 3.5" W (10.2 cm x 8.9 cm)
Provenance: ex-Ashland University Museum, Ashland, Ohio, USA, donated to Ashland University between July 1994 to December 1998
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#164915
Condition
Perforations through the center. Losses to peripheries. Softening of details and surface pitting. Heavy mineral deposits on surfaces and encrustation within suspension hole.