Large pair of Amufi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government ...
Hammer
£980
Large pair of Amufi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, near Benin City, Royal bronze figural and animalistic totem sculptures.
From the top, human figures represent the high chief dressed with unique royal regalia usually attributed to the Oba of Benin, holding the staff of authority, putting on a calabash containing charms of spiritual powers called 'Ukokokho' on his chest. The figure riding an elephant to the community shrine square to address his entire people during the confirmation and coronation. The head represents the ancestors called 'Uhun Ila' and are kept in family altars and family shrines called 'Aho-Erha', which gives the right or way to communicate with the dead. The human figures represent the royal guide called 'Uko Nuro' and some executioners called 'Odiovban'. The design or motif used on both the bronzes represents a spiritual rope tied by the spirits which has no beginning or end, it is only spiritual people who can understand it and untie it.
The two royal bronzes represent the symbol of authority, and they were kept in the Royal Palace flanking the 'Ohen' seat. The late original owner was called 'Ohen Iye'Ewuare Egharevba'. The bronzes are believed to be over 130 years old. The bronzes are made by the Late Aigbe, from Igun Street, also known as 'Igun Ehenmwon' of Sokponba Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
(Each measures approx. 137cm tall.)
Hammer
£980
Large pair of Amufi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria, near Benin City, Royal bronze figural and animalistic totem sculptures.
From the top, human figures represent the high chief dressed with unique royal regalia usually attributed to the Oba of Benin, holding the staff of authority, putting on a calabash containing charms of spiritual powers called 'Ukokokho' on his chest. The figure riding an elephant to the community shrine square to address his entire people during the confirmation and coronation. The head represents the ancestors called 'Uhun Ila' and are kept in family altars and family shrines called 'Aho-Erha', which gives the right or way to communicate with the dead. The human figures represent the royal guide called 'Uko Nuro' and some executioners called 'Odiovban'. The design or motif used on both the bronzes represents a spiritual rope tied by the spirits which has no beginning or end, it is only spiritual people who can understand it and untie it.
The two royal bronzes represent the symbol of authority, and they were kept in the Royal Palace flanking the 'Ohen' seat. The late original owner was called 'Ohen Iye'Ewuare Egharevba'. The bronzes are believed to be over 130 years old. The bronzes are made by the Late Aigbe, from Igun Street, also known as 'Igun Ehenmwon' of Sokponba Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
(Each measures approx. 137cm tall.)
