Court attendant with ceremonial sword "eben" ·  Nigeria, Benin · ID: 3038732

Description

bronze, wearing a broad collar of coral beads reaching nearly to the chin and long beaded necklaces on the breast, prominent headdress from beaded bands and diadem-like superstructure with thorn-like projecting coral beads at each side, skirt with belt and pendants, slightly dam., surface structure shows strong traces of corrosion, additional struts flanking the thin legs to carry the bodies weight, base;
the ceremonial sword “eben” was used for various ceremonies at court
and is a popular motif in Benin art. Dignitaries and chiefs raised the sword as a sign of their loyalty to the king. The “oba” himself danced with such a sword to honour the ancestors.