 |
COMMEMORATIVE FIGURE
While much of Benin sculpture was reserved for the representations of the king, or oba, the brasscasters also made smaller, less ambitious, sculptures for the lesser chiefs. In this example, which is simple both in conception and execution, the figure holds a ceremonial sword, or gubasha, in a gesture of display to demonstrate his status. The figure would have been set up among other, similar figures on a ceremonial altar in the house of the chief.
|