Lot 196 Dα

Writing about this seat in Christie’s catalogue in 1990, William Fagg wrote:
"On first appearances this fine old seat would appear to be a classic example of those found in Benin City at the end of the last century, the top carved in the same manner as those shown in von Luschan (1919, pp.490, 491, figs.845-852). But as we examine it more closely we find unusual figures each end, whose heads just clear the top; they each hold a weapon with curved blade in the right hand (the weapon has been broken off together with the forearm of one figure), which appears to be an ada; they wear short skirts tied at the back, large collars, bracelets and anklets, the tops of their bodies left naked (the diagonal bands on one figure indicate body paint or some other decorative element).

These unusual figures and the freedom with which the side struts have been carved and decorated with bold notches would indicate that the seat may have been used by a dignitary in the sphere of Benin influence, if not in the city itself. A very likely place would be Owo (see a fine seat from that City which was sold in Christie’s sale of 2 December 1986, lot 289)."