Ritual axe or recade for the "hebiosso" cult ·  Republic of Benin (ex Dahomey), Fon · ID: 3050565

Description

wood, pigments, iron, encrusted sacrificial material, base

The headpiece of the recade forms a hand holding a bundle of so-called “vosomi” iron, which is said to symbolise thunder and lightning. Between them is the symbol of the deity “hebiosso”, a kind of axe with a crescent-shaped blade.

Recades of this type were used by members of the “hebiosso” cult (also “hevioso”).

“Hebiosso” is the ruler of thunder and lightning. He not only stands for rainfall and good harvests, but also for lightning strikes that destroy crops. He is also the god of justice. He punishes criminals, in the worst case with a death bolt of lightning (Gustav Wilhelm, 2008, p. 61).

The object Ritual axe or recade for the “hebiosso” cult with the object ID 3050565 was part of the auction 102nd Auction on April 13, 2024. The object with the lot number 329 achieved a sales price of EUR 350 with an asking price of EUR 250.

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Comparing literature

Zirngibl, Manfred A. & Alexander Kubetz, "panga na visu", Riedlhütte 2009, p. 49, ill. 81 Skulpturenmuseum Glaskasten Marl (Hg.), Skulpturen und Objekte aus der Region des Königreiches Dahomey, Marl 2008, p. 61