Lot Essay
This fine but curious casting may have been made in another centre other than Benin, where bronze was cast on the instructions of the Oba, because it is difficult to ascertain what function the present casting would have performed. The Oba is wearing the winged crown introduced by Osemwede (who reigned 1814-1848), and the flanking females crowns similar to those worn by Duala chiefs (vide von Luschan, 1919, p.156). Other centres, such as Udo, Ijebu and Owo, cast bronze in the Benin court style, especially when the power at that court was on the wane. Small bronze figures were also cast in Benin after the Punitive Expedition, but they were less refined in detail and generally more crude than the present example.