Altar Rooster From The Edo Kingdom Of Benin

Superb and rare Edo altar rooster from the kingdom of Benin in brass, height 66cm. Good condition, I would like to point out some cast iron defects. The rooster is a totemic animal in Benin culture. This proud animal is among the most impressive representations of animals in the kingdom, the most refined..... This type of brass rooster can date back to the 16th century. It comes from a sanctuary for the cult of ancestors dedicated to the Queen Mother. The rooster stands on a base whose perimeter is decorated with three rams' heads. In low relief, a Maltese cross (or clover?) is sculpted in front of the legs. Between the rooster's legs, the surface is provided with a quadrangular orifice intended to receive sacrificial gifts such as kola nuts. A delicate carving covers the entire body in a moving play of lines and interlacing. Harmony culminates in the swing of the tail feathers Among the known works of art from Benin, there are more than thirty rooster figures which appear to date from the 16th century free shipping worldwide