Menu
EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBExhibited Benin Fon Brass Hunter & Dog Sculpture
Lot 42b
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Categories
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,000 - $1,800
Absentee vs Live bid
Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
West Africa, Republic of Benin, Fon people, ca. mid-20th century CE. A dynamic and finely rendered mid-20th century Benin brass sculpture depicting a hunter accompanied by his loyal dog, both poised in a moment of pursuit. The hunter stands with legs braced, rifle raised to his shoulder, his head turned with a calm yet alert expression. His elongated form, tapering limbs, and stylized features reflect the elegant proportions characteristic of Dahomean brass-casting traditions. At his side, a lean hound rises on its hind legs, forepaws resting against the hunter's thigh, its body incised with decorative motifs. The hunter wears a patterned smock and fitted cap, a belt strung with amulets and cartridges, and a bag suspended at his hip. Each accessory has been cast separately using the lost-wax technique, then soldered in place. Size of larger (hunter): 10.9" L x 3.5" W x 11.3" H (27.7 cm x 8.9 cm x 28.7 cm); 12.3" H (31.2 cm) on included custom stand.
The surface tooling, from the delicate scale-like pattern of his tunic to the swirling designs on the dog's body, reflects the masterful work of the royal brass-casters guild (Hontondji).
In the historical Kingdom of Dahomey (modern-day Benin), brass was a precious imported commodity, valued as much for its symbolic power as for its rarity. Brass sculptures such as this were historically commissioned for the royal palace in Abomey, often serving as displays of wealth, political prestige, and spiritual authority. Hunting scenes, a celebrated genre in Dahomean art, honored hunters as heroic figures - both providers and protectors - believed to be spiritually fortified by ritual garments and amulets.
The presence of the rifle underscores early European contact and trade; firearms had been incorporated into West African hunting and warfare since the 16th century. Here, the combination of traditional dress, magical protections, and modern weaponry embodies the intersection of indigenous culture and global exchange. This sculpture not only captures the vitality of the hunt but also speaks to the prestige and layered symbolism attached to the hunter's role in Benin society.
Exhibited: October 3 - December 15, 2002. "Selections from the Ralph T. Coe Collection of African Art" at the Allen Memorial Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio and May 17, 2024 - June 28, 2024 . Reflections on Movement. Coe Center for the Arts-Exhibition organized by 2023-2024 Hands on Curatorial program at Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, acquired in 2010 via descent; ex-private collection of Ralph T. Coe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, purchased in October 1995; ex-Maurice Joy, London, England, UK
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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#196386Stable fissure to back of dog and some surface wear and abrasions throughout. Otherwise, intact and excellent with good detail and rich patina.Condition
- Shipping Info
-
All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Fine Arts will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please ask before bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
-
- Buyer's Premium
