Bidspirit auction | Bronze relief from Benin, Benin

Bronze relief from Benin, Benin culture, 19th century - Cast bronze panel. Dimensions: 37 x 32 cm. An important bronze panel from the Benin culture, created in the 19th century within the courtly artistic tradition developed in the former Kingdom of Benin, present-day Nigeria. The composition depicts three ceremonial figures in relief, one of them mounted on horseback, richly adorned with ornaments, weapons, and symbols of dignity associated with the royal and military environment of the Beninese court. The work is notable for the extraordinary decorative richness of its details, the stylization of the figures, and the complex elaboration of the relief, distinctive characteristics of the celebrated Benin bronzes made using the lost-wax casting technique. These pieces had an important commemorative and ceremonial function within African royal palaces, constituting one of the finest examples of traditional African sculpture. The surface retains an attractive patina of age that accentuates the historical and ethnographic character of the work. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.