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RARE AUTHENTIC BENIN BRONZE RAM from NIGERIA 19th CENTURY or OLDER - LOOK!

$ 792

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back
  • Condition: In very good condition but uncleaned, still in the condition as when first acquired.Has a few dents/scratches here and there as would be expected of an artifact of its age.
  • Restocking Fee: No

    Description

    RARE AUTHENTIC BENIN BRONZE RAM   19th CENTURY or OLDER
    **************************************************
    From the old Kingdom of
    Benin
    - Now Southern Nigeria
    I have been a dealer in African ethnographic art for years and this is what I believe to be a true old Benin bronze (or brass) Ram’s head figure.  I know that modern reproductions of Benin bronzes abound, and have seen many of them up close, and I avoid having anything to do with them.  They may be ART, but they are not ARTIFACTS. But this piece is not your typical Benin motif – in fact I have tried to research the piece and found only one reference to the same type of figure, and it was described as being unique, with one other similar piece known. Quoting from Galerie Peter Herrmann,
    “This ram is a very special, unique item for which there is a stylistic relative in the Museum für Völkerkunde Berlin.”
    When something is unique or nearly so, the images are not out in circulation, available to copy.  Given that reason, it is highly unlikely that this is a modern reproduction.  Unfortunately there is no other provenance for the enigmatic piece.  It was purchased from an antique dealer many years ago and has been in my possession/personal collection ever since.
    It is possibly a stylized West African Dwarf sheep with its
    rotund body,
    short ears and mane.  The head is sensitively rendered and the
    elegant lines throughout the figure add beauty and an air of mystery to the piece.
    The patina has not been tested, but it is dark and deep over most of it.
    **
    The last photo is the unique Museum piece mentioned and is for comparison only -
    NOT FOR SALE
    I am asking 00. for it but will consider any REASONABLE offer.
    The piece is 40 cms.
    high (16"), and weighs 3655 gms. (8 lbs. 1 oz.)
    SHIPPING
    :
    USA:
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    FREE
    CANADA ONLY:
    USPS PRIORITY MAIL for
    .00
    REST OF WORLD:
    Shipping via USPS PRIORITY MAIL International for
    .00