GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The figure cast in high relief on this plaque represents a high-ranking warrior chief from the ancient Benin Kingdom, which was founded during the 13th or early 14th century. His formal military attire includes an elaborate hat decorated with horsehair, a coral beaded choker, a protective leopard-tooth necklace, and a bell for signaling his position. He carries two weapons, a knife under his left arm, and a sword in his right hand. The leopard’s face depicted on his tunic put fear in the hearts of his enemies. The background river-leaf pattern is thought to symbolize Olokun, god of wealth, fertility, and seas. Oversea trade was the kingdom’s source of wealth and well-being.
This plaque was made by a member of the royal brass casters guild. Such plaques were described in published accounts by 17th-century European visitors who had seen them in the palace of the oba (king).
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
mid-16th century-1897: Palace of the Oba of Benin
1898-1950: British Museum, London (accession no 98.1-15.100), removed at the time of the British Punitive Expedition from above
1950: Sidney Burney, art dealer, London
1950-1997: Edward A. Bragaline (d. 1999), New York
1997: Alain de Monbrison, art dealer, Paris
1997-2005: private collection, Italy
2005: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from L & R Entwistle and Co. Ltd. (Lance Entwistle), London [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the document compiled by Dr. Roslyn A. Walker, The Margaret McDermott Curator of African Art, titled "Single Figure Plaque," dated September 14, 2012, in the Collections Records object file.
[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
Watch a video about the symbolism of space related to this plaque, 12933313: UMO
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Smart History~Learn more about Benin plaques.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where number equals 2005.38.McD
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General Description
The figure cast in high relief on this plaque represents a high-ranking warrior chief from the ancient Benin Kingdom, which was founded during the 13th or early 14th century. His formal military attire includes an elaborate hat decorated with horsehair, a coral beaded choker, a protective leopard-tooth necklace, and a bell for signaling his position. He carries two weapons, a knife under his left arm, and a sword in his right hand. The leopard’s face depicted on his tunic put fear in the hearts of his enemies. The background river-leaf pattern is thought to symbolize Olokun, god of wealth, fertility, and seas. Oversea trade was the kingdom’s source of wealth and well-being.
This plaque was made by a member of the royal brass casters guild. Such plaques were described in published accounts by 17th-century European visitors who had seen them in the palace of the oba (king).
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, Arts of Africa, 2015.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
mid-16th century-1897: Palace of the Oba of Benin
1898-1950: British Museum, London (accession no 98.1-15.100), removed at the time of the British Punitive Expedition from above
1950: Sidney Burney, art dealer, London
1950-1997: Edward A. Bragaline (d. 1999), New York
1997: Alain de Monbrison, art dealer, Paris
1997-2005: private collection, Italy
2005: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from L & R Entwistle and Co. Ltd. (Lance Entwistle), London [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the document compiled by Dr. Roslyn A. Walker, The Margaret McDermott Curator of African Art, titled "Single Figure Plaque," dated September 14, 2012, in the Collections Records object file.
[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
Watch a video about the symbolism of space related to this plaque, 12933313: UMO
rules
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Objects
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2005.38.McD
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object_notes_3_a-0516.xml.nores