Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas | Antiquities - 20 Feb 2024
Five elements of a Benin agba stool
Five elements of a Benin agba stool
Nigeria
including the top and the four legs, relief carved, the top with a central standing Oba figure in full regalia holding a sistrum and a ceremonial sword, eben, flanked by two attendants, one kneeling and another figure beating a drum, a ceremonial sword and a snake, with triple rosettes to the corners, the edge with interlaced banding, the legs depicting 1. a seated pregnant woman holding a string of coral beads, with an interlaced knot and disc below, 2. a European holding a parasol, wearing a coat and a sword, with a rifle to his side, and a pair of fornicating figures below, 3. a figure wearing shorts with four knives to his belt, playing a drum, with a rifle to the side, a pair of snakes above and a chest with a padlock and key below, the edges with differing carved decoration, 4. a figure climbing a tree to cut fruit, a goat head to the side, a fish above and a boar and a cannon below, the top 33cm x 56cm, the legs, 42.5cm, 43.7cm, 44.5cm and 45cm long. (5)