Pygmee - Hofdwerg

A royal court dwarf worthy of being cast in bronze. Fou du roi (mad of the king) as they are called, are pygmies part of the king's bodyguard. They held a high place at court insofar as they were part of the inner circle of army leaders. They were endowed with supernatural powers and powers intended to protect the royal family and beyond, the entire community. At public events they held a large fan with which they greeted the king. This kind of work was reserved for the highest castes of society. An immense head with a round forehead, divided in two by an imaginary line that connects vertically with a more or less flattened nose in the middle of two hollow eyes.
This character wears traditional chains around his neck, around his wrists, royal bracelets and around his waist a makeshift loincloth damaged by the wear and tear of time. A protruding belly with a slightly hunched back, this piece shines with its headdress, sober but especially impressive in the neck. The art of the ancient kingdom of Benin or Béni au was a royal court art closely linked to the OBA, the king. This tradition dates back to the 14th century, long before the arrival of Europeans for exploration and colonial conquest. Old bronze piece .
Photos form part of the description.
From own collection.
(+- 10kg, 73x26 cm, diameter 18.
Sold without TL test.