African Royal Sculpture
This beautiful 16th century brass piece is the head of a West African “Oba”, or king. Many such samples of royal sculpture, from the Benin Kingdom of Nigeria, Edo Empire (it flourished from 1440 to the late 1800’s), are included in the Metropolitan’s “Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas” exhibits.
I’m so grateful that some of this former kingdom’s artifacts have been preserved. Art can be such a history lesson sometimes. So often it represents what is most important to a people during specific periods of their time.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
5th Ave and 86 Street, NYC
Images: AltarTableau (Aseberia) with Oba Akenzua, 18th century. Nigeria; Benin Kingdom
Head of an Oba, 16th century (ca. 1550), Nigeria; Edo, Court of Benin (Brass)
5 Responsesto “African Royal Sculpture”
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I'm in 10th grade working on a World History assessment, I had to pick 5 artifacts and give a Description and Explanation. For this artifact I don't know how I would do that. This is a beautiful artifact. It looks very interesting.
Not quite sure which statue you like best:
1- AltarTableau (Aseberia) with Oba Akenzua, 18th century. Nigeria; Benin Kingdom
2- Head of an Oba, 16th century (ca. 1550), Nigeria; Edo, Court of Benin (Brass)
But, they are both from Benin West Africa, you can google "Benin Brass" and get more info online – And yes, they are beautiful!
Good Luck
I have a Benin African head that looks exactly like the Head of an Oba. If I sent you a picture or two, could you tell me exactly what it is. My mother collected ancient African artifacts and this was part of her collection and my personal favorite.
@Rita: Please contact the The Museum of African Art – NY and they will be able to help you.