sculpture
- Museum number
- Af1898,1025.2
- Description
-
Cockerel sculpture; lost-wax cast in brass. Plumage, comb, wattles and spurs depicted. Stands upright on square base with central square hole. Sides of base decorated with interlace pattern.
- Production date
- 18thC (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 49.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 22.60 kilograms
-
Width: 18 centimetres
-
Depth: 45 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Read & Dalton 1899:
Figure of a cock in brass, modelled in a naturalistic manner, the feathers being indicated by punched lines. It stands on an oblong base with a rectangular opening in the middle, and round the edge an open plaited design. The eyes of the cock are inlaid with coral.
- Location
- On display (G25/dc7)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa
1991 Feb-Apr, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Man and Metal in Ancient Nigeria
- Condition
- Good; spur on left leg broken off.
- Acquisition date
- 1898
- Acquisition notes
- During the British Expedition to Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, ivory, coral and wood were looted by British soldiers from the royal palace, its storerooms and compounds.
Some of these objects were sold or exchanged on the coast. However, many were brought to the UK where they were sold through private auction, donated or sold to museums, or retained by soldiers of the expedition.
See Collection File: Af1898,1025.1-2.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Af1898,1025.2
