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Bronze Head of an Oba, Yoruba People, 1950s
About the Item
A Benin bronze of an Oba. Oba means ruler in the Yoruba language.
Wearing a lattice-pattern cap with strands of beads suspended around the head.
The neck is bound with a lattice-pattern tight choker.
The head represents the character and destiny of an individual and freestanding heads were placed on the shrines as symbols of the quality and leadership of previous rulers.
Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection. Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson.
Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During their time in Africa, the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where they remained until 1978.
In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College - Williams Art Center for an exhibition titled "Plainly Geometric - Selections of Art from West Africa".
In 2018 Mrs Swanson passed away.
- Creator:People from Benin (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 11.03 in (28 cm)Width: 3.94 in (10 cm)Depth: 4.73 in (12 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Bronze,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Aramits, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6432238767192
About the Seller
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Established in 2008
1stDibs seller since 2022
14 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Oloron-Sainte-Marie, France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
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