Title
Preview
Description
Executioner
42" high
Circa 19th Century
Benin, Nigeria, West Africa
Bronze, Copper alloy
A standing male figure displaying the attributes of a Benin executioner and meant to be placed in a Benin shrine. The figure is janiform (having a face on two sides) with two sets of arms raised and brandishing a severed head and executioner's sword. The torso and legs are long and straight with feet resting on an oval base, which is part of the composition of the figure.
Keywords
executioner, Benin, Benin bronze, Nigeria, African art, African artifacts, African sculpture