Lot 117A
Africa, Republic of Benin, ca. late 19th to 20th century CE. A fabulous side-blown trumpet, known as an oliphant or akohen, hand-carved from the tusk of an elephant with a strand of red glass and brass wire beads encompassing the ovoid bell. An old brass repair envelops the rectangular mouthpiece, holding in place the point of the tusk, which is carved into a faceted body and capped by a petite hoof. The dramatic, sloping body of the instrument boasts a rich patina in hues of caramel, amber, and butterscotch, all polished to a lustrous sheen. Relief decoration of an alligator, a bird, and other anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs further adorns the trumpet's surface. Size: 27.5" L x 3.3" W x 4.2" H (69.8 cm x 8.4 cm x 10.7 cm)
Blowing orifices placed on the horns' convex surfaces have been identified in hunting horns and oliphants from the Kingdom of Benin, both for local use and for exporting. This feature was exclusive to this ancient Kingdom, located in modern day Nigeria, and to other kingdoms and peoples under its control, and are not found in horns produced elsewhere.
This is an ESA antique exempt piece of ivory and cannot be sold internationally or to anyone residing in the states of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington. We guarantee that the piece is over 100 years old.
Provenance: private Ferndale, Michigan, USA collection; ex-private Detroit, Michigan, USA collection, acquired prior to 2004
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#182524
- Condition: Old brass repair at mouthpiece and old loss to 1 relief decoration. A few stable fissures with chipping extending from periphery of bell.
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