I would love it if someone could share knowledge on this African object!

Hi All,

First of all, I hope that you, and your loved ones are in good health.

I got given this object as a gift. (Because I like North-African items. This is, obviously, not North-African) I would really like it if someone could share some knowledge! I.e, what it is used for, from which country it originates- etc.

(At large

Head:15x11cm
Total:48x18cm
Weight, approx: 1,5/2kg

Many thanks,

Robert.

 

1st thing that comes to mind is a Benin Bronze .....
I have beads like that...

 

could be a hip ornament.....

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/..._and_iron_-_Hood_Museum_of_Art_-_DSC09155.JPG

 

Yes, I believe it is a hip mask. We had a discussion earlier of one from neighboring Cameroon. But yours looks traditional Benin.

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/bekom-mask-from-cameroon-via-antigua.50869/#post-2309291

 

@ proudcanadian

Thank you!

 

Thank you, also. I'll enjoy delving deeper into 'hip-ornaments' - Wasn't able to find info, so much appreciated!

 

In the 1980's I visited the museum at Benin, set in the middle of a roundabout. The exhibits were magnificent, the workmanship exquisite until one got up closer and could read the card, 'Copy, original in the British Museum'. That occurred over and over, I don't recall a single bronze being the original. Many photographs of the British army razing the city, soldiers with their arms full of booty.

When I left, at the door was a visiter's book, which I signed. The previous British Citizen to sign it a nurse, two years previous.

A sad occasion.

As to your trophy, put in the research and discover it's background; how did it get to the USA? The research is the best part of having these possessions, one doesn't just want to glance at them now and again, or worse, not even notice them. Good luck, enjoy the head.

And now I need your help. How did you load the photographs?

Brian Warshaw, France

 

Here is an article covering current negotiations regarding the Benin bronzes:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54117905#:~:text=The Edo kings - the obas,Benin Bronzes to be returned.&text=They have agreed that Benin,a few hundred Benin Bronzes.

When creating a post, you can click on "upload a file", and then select the photograph file you want to include (on your computer or in your phone). It needs to be 1mb or less. You can resize a photo on your computer using any image software you have, or if the photo is on your phone other members have said you can email it to yourself, which will automatically reduce the size. When posting a photo, there is an option to select "full size", which is preferred. Otherwise it will load them as thumbnails, which is more difficult for others to deal with.

 

A recent article that might be of interest, on the topic of repatriation of African artifacts:
https://time.com/5899808/african-ar...tm_content=+++20201015+++body&et_rid=31867369