Galerie Peter Herrmann

Pos1
Ancient Art from Africa - Benin & Ife
Weiter

Thermoluminescence - Expertise

Hornblower
Benin, Nigeria
About 1900
Bronze
44 cm

 

 



Hormblower:


The figure wears an ornate wrap-around skirt and a poncho, held in place with a belt adorned with an animal mask. In typical fashion, the waistcloth is decorated with a stiff, pointed appendage, while the horn is remarkably straight and held in abnormally long hands. The helmet with upright feathers has wavy lines. Around his neck, the figure wears a leopard-claw necklace.

In the literature, this figure is usually seen as a court official whose job it was to herald the arrival of the Oba's royal entourage with the blow of his horn during public processions. Because the figure is often depicted on plaques alongside warriors, it can also be assumed that he had certain military obligations.



Vgl.:
Felix von LUSCHAN: Die Altertümer von Benin, Band 1-3, Berlin 1919, S. 292/ 293.
William B. FAGG: Bildwerke aus Nigeria, München 1963, S. 58.
Barbara PLANKENSTEINER (Hg.): Benin. Kings and Rituals. Court Arts from Nigeria, Vienna 2007, pp. 315.



Vergleichsobjekte:  

Abbildungen:

Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum
 

Felix von LUSCHAN: Die Altertümer von Benin, Band 1-3, Berlin 1919, Tafel 72.

British Museum, London
 

William B. FAGG: Bildwerke aus Nigeria, München 1963, S. 59.

The Trustees of the National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh  

Barbara PLANKENSTEINER (Hg.): Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007, S. 315.