Title

Altarpiece

Physical Chareteristics
The object is part of the cultural and artistic heritage of the presumably 800-year-old Kingdom of Benin. The kingdom, which is located in what is now southwestern Nigeria, was conquered by the British in 1897 and the courtly works of art came to Europe as spoils of war. The object cannot be clearly assigned, but due to its nature it can be assumed that it is an altarpiece. The attachment consists of a base and a spherical object, the end of which forms a hole. The entire surface is adorned with geometric ornaments. A braided ribbon motif surrounds the plinth. The attached ball, on the other hand, shows alternating geometric ornamentation in diamond shape and smooth areas.

 

Material: Brass

 

Dimensions: 20 x 21 x 21 cm