Sculpture
AF5106
Location: On Display in the Africa Galleries
From: Nigeria | Benin Kingdom
Curatorial Section: African
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Object Number
AF5106
Current Location
Africa Galleries - On Display
Culture
Edo (Africa)
Provenience
Nigeria | Benin Kingdom
Culture Area
Edo (Africa)
Date Made
16th century CE
Section
African
Materials
Copper Alloy | Brass
Technique
Lost Wax Casting
Iconography
Animal | Snake Head
Description
Snake head with open mouth revealing teeth that are bent slightly inward, decorated with crosshatching and dot surround mouth, three circles within concentric circles and base of head, same design at neck, raised almond shaped eyes, three holes at top back and around neck.
Height
11.3 cm
Length
41.5 cm
Width
28.5 cm
Credit Line
Purchased from W. O. Oldman, 1920
Current & Past Exhibitions
Bibliography
Brincard, Marie-Therese. The Power of Bronze: Royal Sculpture from The Kingdom of Benin . Neuberger Museum of Art, 2004. See: p. 21, fig. 8
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Ben-Amos, Paula G. The Art of Benin . Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1995. Page/Fig./Plate: 1-128 See: p. 44, fig. 31
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Roberts, Allen. Animals in African Art: From the Familiar to the Marvelous . Museum for African Art, 1995. See: p. 119
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Plass, Margaret B. Seven Metals of Africa . The University Museum, 1959. See: D-5
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Hall, Henry U. "Great Benin Royal Altar ." The Museum Journal 13, no. 2. (1922): 105-168. See: p. 128, fig. 50
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Curnow, Kathy. Iyare! Splendor and Tension In Benin's Palace Theatre . 2016. See: p. 24
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Curnow, Kathy. Guide to the Benin Collection at the Penn Museum . Philadelphia: Questor | UPMAA, 2024. Page/Fig./Plate: 132 See: p. 80, fig. 90
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