Bronze Ife Woman Head Oba Edo Benin City Yoruba

IRENEÈ ROCHARD Horse heads in motion, titled "Vers le But", edited by Reveyrolis Paris, Bronzier d'Art. Important and rare 1930s sculpture in terracotta with bronze effect finish, s...

This modernist figural composition is a captivating piece that depicts a woman carrying a child on her shoulder. Crafted from bronze, the sculpture features a bicolor patina that add...

Art Deco bronze sculpture with a beautiful aesthetic composition reminding of the crouching nudes of Chana Orloff's. Cast bronze, two patina, unsigned. Very good original condition ...

A German Expressionist bronze sculpture "Polospielers" (Polo Players). Signed and marked 'Fred Voelckerling, 1919' on the base. In very good condition, normal wear and patina. Dimensions: 45x28x36.5 cm The aesthetic composition is depicting two polo players on horseback, in full competition. The horses' movement has a special elegance and sobriety, and the finish is of remarkable sensitivity, the anatomical elements are distinguished, without the stylization becoming of a trivial naturalism. The polo players are caught in a moment of maximum tension, struggling to keep both the horses in check and the clubs in play. The whole ensemble exudes the emotion of movement and competition, being a perfect example for the expressionist sculpture. Alfred (Fred) Hans Voelckerling (1872-1945) was a German artist who worked as both a sculptor and a painter. He has created many works of art that have been exhibited in different countries. His works are very impressive and often show people or animals in different situations. Voelckerling's art is well known and admired by many people around the world. After graduating from the Dresden school for arts and crafts where he worked in the studio of Robert Diez...

MAGNIFICENT! BENIN OBA 19TH CENTURY BRONZE WARRIOR SCULPTURE! SUPERB EXAMPLE OF OBA METALWORK! DIMENSIONS: APPROXIMATELY 13" TALL CIRCA 1860-1900 Offered is a rare 19th cen...

Outstanding Benin Oba and his Queen, Lost Wax 'Bronze' Sculptures from the late 20th century Superbly cast and highly decorative contemporary pieces, not historical The centuries ol...

This striking vintage bronze rooster sculpture is a fine example of African tribal artistry, originating from the cultural regions of Ife and Benin in Nigeria. Crafted with a primiti...

Carved from reddish brown hardwood, the hollow form rises from a cylindrical neck, the lowest part being a rounded base, then surrounded by diagonal sections. The neck is surrounded by nine rows of coral beaded necklaces (odigba) that extend to a thread motif on the back of the head. Face in full relief with straight lips, flared, flattened nose and oval eyes with set shell (nut) for the pupils. Along the forehead are six frontal scars treated with rectangular cavities in which should have inserts nutshells. In this case there is only one left Small ears on each side of the head, each C-shaped. A headband consisting of three rows of almost completely distroyed. On the right side of the head, a single feather extends upward from a beaded rosette. Behind the ear, two long braids of hair hang down to the beaded collar and then become bows that reach the roots. The left side of the head has a long, single braid behind the ear that hangs down to the beaded collar and becomes a bow that ends at the base. On each side, three strands of hair appear at the temples under the headband. Featuring an open hole with a circular motif on the top of the head and a rectangular open slit down the back. Insect damage in different areas; very old worn finish showing a lot of age. Very heavy insect damage in all areas; very old worn finish showing a lot of age. “Wooden shrine heads were permitted to sit on the altars of chiefs and important figures, in contrast to the copper alloy heads used exclusively by the kings of Benin. (Frederic Backlar, Bonhams, New York, 2012, lot 172) Osemwede (reigned 1816-1848) was the first Oba to decree that human heads could be carved for the altars of chiefs of royal lineage, rather than just wooden antelope and perhaps goat heads. Therefore, chiefs of blood enjoyed in Benin City (but not throughout the Kingdom of Benin, where antelope heads continued to be placed on the altars of their ancestors well into the 20s. Thus, the (wooden) human heads are said to be later than ca. 1816, but the actual age depends condition, insect damage, etc." (Fagg, William, Christie's, London, 1988, lot 206) "Feathers were worn by chiefs as a sign of status. The heads have a hole at the top intended to hold a large carved ivory tusk...