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18th-to-19th-century cast-brass sculpture of a Benin court official or messenger wearing a cross-shaped pendant historic Kingdom of Benin Nigeria

18th-to-19th-century cast-brass sculpture of a Benin court official or messenger wearing a cross-shaped pendant historic Kingdom of Benin Nigeria Stock Photo

RMID:CXFKP5

Image details

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Image ID:

CXFKP5

File size:

34.9 MB (1.4 MB Compressed download)

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Dimensions:

2848 x 4287 px | 24.1 x 36.3 cm | 9.5 x 14.3 inches | 300dpi

Date taken:

5 June 2012

More information:

An exceptional 18th-to-19th-century copper alloy sculpture depicting a standing court official or messenger from the pre-colonial Kingdom of Benin. Masterfully cast using the lost-wax technique by artists from the specialized royal brass-smithing guild (Igun Eronmwon), this figure wears an intricately patterned royal tunic and wrapper. Most notably, he is adorned with a prominent cross-shaped pendant resting low on his chest. Within Benin court history, these figures are frequently associated with the Ewua, a prestigious group of palace officials responsible for awakening the reigning Oba (King) each morning and conducting ceremonies that recall the mythological origins of the dynastic lineage. The inclusion of the cross symbol predates European maritime contact but was later amplified in local art through trade interactions with the Portuguese. Historically displayed on sacred ancestral altars within the royal palace complex, this dynamic brass statue serves as a world-renowned testament to West African metalworking virtuosity, complex court hierarchy, and regional religious history.

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