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ID #SA1091865
FOR SALE
£1,750
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Huge African Benin Bronze Ceremonial Pot / Container
Dragoncharger Antiques
for sale €2,048     $2,223
£1,750

Dragoncharger Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Aug 2024
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  • About Us
    Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.
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Id #SA1091865
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Huge African Benin Bronze Ceremonial Pot / Container

1900 - 1920
Description

Huge and heavy early 20th century African tribal bronze vessel / pot. Circa 1900; 14Kg

High quality casting using the traditional lost wax process. This process often leaves perforations in its construction, but this piece has been fully rendered and is free from holes. A rare and beautiful prestige or ceremonial piece, and likely to be a Benin highly valued tribal item. The decoration is stunning with two large central figures, and two large snails in extremely high relief. There are also 2 turtles and the handles are in the form of snakes devouring a man. This would have been difficult to make. The entire body of the piece is covered with traditional tribal symbols and marks.

Overall condition is good and the metal has taken on great colour/patina. The small areas of verdigris adds to its character and authenticity as an old piece. The hinged lid missing. This would have been connected to the top flange hole(s).

Size: 36cm tall x 35cm large diameter) wide x 30cm deep. Weight 14kg.

Physical Dimensions
Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
30cm (11.81")
Declaration

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Benin Bronze Ceremonial Vessel to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1091865
Dealers Internal Reference
D:00013
Description
Huge and heavy early 20th century African tribal bronze vessel / pot. Circa 1900; 14Kg

High quality casting using the traditional lost wax process.

“
This process often leaves perforations in its construction, but this piece has been fully rendered and is free from holes.
Dragoncharger Antiques

A rare and beautiful prestige or ceremonial piece, and likely to be a Benin highly valued tribal item. The decoration is stunning with two large central figures, and two large snails in extremely high relief. There are also 2 turtles and the handles are in the form of snakes devouring a man. This would have been difficult to make. The entire body of the piece is covered with traditional tribal symbols and marks.

fig 1. A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles.
fig 1. Huge African Benin Bronze Ceremonial Pot / Container

Overall condition is good and the metal has taken on great colour/patina. The small areas of verdigris adds to its character and authenticity as an old piece. The hinged lid missing. This would have been connected to the top flange hole(s).

Size: 36cm tall x 35cm large diameter) wide x 30cm deep. Weight 14kg.

Height
36cm (14.17")
Width
35cm (13.78")
Depth
30cm (11.81")
Date of Manufacture

Dragoncharger Antiques has dated this Benin Bronze Ceremonial Vessel to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1091865
Dealers Internal Ref
D:00013
Dragoncharger Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Aug 2024

Specialising in early japanese cloisonne, edo enamel artisan period.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Dragoncharger Antiques Profile Page

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A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles.
1 / 6
Archive I A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles.

Huge African Benin Bronze Ceremonial Pot / Container

Archive II A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles. View II
Archive III A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles. View III
Archive IV A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles. View IV
Archive V A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles. View V
Archive VI A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles. View VI
Enlarged Archival View

Dragoncharger Antiques
Telephone 07974 144321
Location
Bristol
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
Items For Sale 150
Items Sold 17
Dragoncharger Antiques
Verified Since Aug 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/dragonchargerantiques
Verified
Aug 2024
For Sale
150
Sold
17
A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles.
Huge African Benin Bronze Ceremonial Pot / Container
Ref: SA1091865
A cast bronze ceremonial vessel decorated with relief carvings of human figures, intricate geometric patterns, and twin handles.
Detail View 2
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Detail View 6
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Metal casting in the Kingdom of Benin dates back several centuries, with artisans producing intricate copper alloy sculptures for royal and ceremonial purposes. These objects typically depicted monarchs, court officials, and symbolic fauna representing spiritual authority.

These pieces were created using the lost-wax casting technique, known as cire perdue, utilising alloys of copper, zinc, and tin such as bronze or brass. Artisans sculpted the detailed form in wax over a clay core before replacing it with molten metal.

Authentic pieces feature lost-wax casting characteristics such as slight asymmetries, detailed relief work, and dark patination formed over time. Modern reproductions often exhibit uniform machine seams or lightweight electroplated metal.

Designers frequently position heavy metalwork vessels on wooden sideboards or consoles to provide texture and historical contrast against minimalist backgrounds. The warm metallic tones pair well with natural timber and stone surfaces.

Dust metalwork gently with a soft microfibre cloth or dry brush to avoid removing the natural patina. Avoid liquid chemicals, abrasives, or excessive moisture, which can disrupt the surface layer and cause undesirable oxidisation.
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