Items Similar to Benin-Style Bronze Figural Pipe Mouthpiece
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7
Benin-Style Bronze Figural Pipe Mouthpiece
About the Item
World-renowned for high-quality lost wax casting, the city of Benin in West Africa has been a leading producer of fine cast brass and bronze sculptures since as early as the 16th century. Most Benin bronze objects were commissioned specifically for the ancestral altars of past obas (rulers) and Iyobas (queen mothers), as well as for rituals to honor ancestors and to validate the succession of new obas.
This unusual bronze sculpture exemplifies Benin-style metalwork and was likely cast in the late 19th century. The sculpture depicts the figure of a naked woman reclined in a seated position and smoking a pipe. A common subject in African folk art, female figures are typically understood as symbols of fertility, creativity, and wisdom. The figure is integrated into a hollow, narrow tube, suggesting this is actually the a mouthpiece to a large, ceremonial pipe. Despite the annexation of the Benin kingdom in 1897, the present day Yoruba people of Nigeria continue the traditional practices of Benin metalwork in fantastic sculptural objects such as this.
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 4.5 in (11.43 cm)Depth: 4.25 in (10.8 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 19th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
4.9
PAGODA RED is a renowned resource for designers as well as collectors of contemporary and ancient Chinese, Korean and Japanese art. They offer a curated edit of fine and provincial furniture, ceramics, scholars' objects, and paintings and textiles, each piece historically and geographically authentic.
Diamond Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1997
1stDibs seller since 2006
1,437 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Chinese Gilt Ancestor Figure, c. 1900Located in Chicago, ILAn integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ancestor figure...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsWood, Lacquer
- Painted African Pende Altar Figure, c. 1900Located in Chicago, ILPende diviners interpreted messages from the spirit realm to determine which of their ancestors would provide aid in return for sacrifices. This figure would have been carved for the recipient of such favors. The down-turned gaze and gently placed hands offer a feeling of security and companionship, representing benevolent intentions towards the gift giver...Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsWood
- Metallic Studded Bambara Figure by Brian StanzialeBy Brian StanzialeLocated in Chicago, ILIn an exclusive collaboration with pagoda red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Guided by its geometric line work, the bms. uses...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Malian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMetal
- Guatemalan Carved Column PedestalLocated in Chicago, ILThe Maya peoples of Guatemala created incredible works of art through columnar woodworking and stone shaping. The base carvings on this column emulate ferns and other low-lying folia...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Folk Art Pedestals
MaterialsWood
- Beaded Ndebele Fertility DollLocated in Chicago, ILA rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCotton, Wood
- Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility DollsLocated in Chicago, ILA rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork...Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsCotton, Wood
You May Also Like
- African Benin Bronze SculptureLocated in Atlanta, GAAfrican Benin Bronze Sculpture, Africa, circa mid 20th Century. Beautiful casting with wonderful attention to detail. Solid, heavyweight...Category
20th Century Beninese Tribal Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMetal, Bronze
- After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"By Jean Louis GrégoireLocated in Los Angeles, CAAfter Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsMarble, Spelter
- Decorative African Bronze Fish from the Tribal People of BeninBy People from BeninLocated in Miami, FLA unique intricately detailed hand-hammered bronze of a fish. Bursting with character, this marine life mythical decorative object would enhance any shelf or tabletop. This object form is one of the best-known examples of Benin art, created from the thirteenth century onwards, by the Edo people, which also included other sculptures in brass, including some famous portrait heads and smaller pieces of art. Tribal African Art...Category
20th Century Beninese Tribal Animal Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
- Benin Kingdom Ebony Carving of a Young King Oba, NigerianBy People from BeninLocated in Rothley, LeicestershireWonderful hand carved ebony hardwood figure of a young Benin man, possibly a future King Oba Excellent traditional Benin artistic carving A delightful piece Circa 1970 Height 13...Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsEbony
- Ebony Benin Kingdom, Bust Carving Of A Young Nigerian Warrior, 1970'sBy People from BeninLocated in Rothley, LeicestershireHand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior Traditionally carved Benin artistry Circa 1970 Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsEbony
- Bariba People, Benin, Rare Terracotta Ceremonial VesselLocated in Leuven , BEThis piece of a pottery vessel, embellished with high relief figures, was made by women of the ethnic group of the Bariba (or Baatonu) in the northern provinces of Benin. The Bariba potters passed their trade from mother to daughter. They didn’t make their vessels on a pottery wheel...Category
20th Century Beninese Sculptures and Carvings
MaterialsTerracotta
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Pipe Antique
Early Brass Figure
Antique African Figures
Naked Woman Sculpture
19th Century Smoking
Brass Altar
African Bronze Figure
Seat Of Wisdom
Bronze Altar
Africa Queen
African Queen
Antique Smoking Pipe
Bronze Ritual
African Ceremonial
Antique Brass Tube
Late 19th Century Bronze Sculpture Of A Woman
Folk Art Antique Wax
West African Bronze