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an old book with pictures of people and animals on itan antique book with a green cover and gold lettering
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €600 - €800
Sale commission
Description
Africa READ, Charles Hercules / DALTON, Ormonde Maddock Antiquities from the City of Benin and from Other Parts of West Africa in the British Museum. Printed by order of the Trustees. London, Sold at the British Museum, 1899. With numerous text illustrations and 32 mounted or monochrome photogravure plates. (6), 61 pp. Folio. Green half-leather publisher’s binding over cloth, spine with five raised bands, title in gold lettering on the spine and front cover. – (Head edges rubbed.) First edition of the authoritative early museum catalogue of the works of art brought to Britain from Benin City following the British punitive expedition of 1897. The generously illustrated volume documents outstanding examples of court art from the Kingdom of Benin: cast brass or so-called ‘Benin bronzes’, including relief panels, heads of rulers and ancestors, as well as figures of dignitaries and animals, along with ivory carvings, coral regalia and wooden objects. Individual objects now held at the British Museum are illustrated in the volume and can be found there, amongst others, as plates VII, VIII, IX and XV. The publication is of particular significance not only as an early scholarly catalogue of the collection, but also as a key document of its colonial acquisition history. The Benin objects covered in the catalogue were directly linked to the British invasion and plundering of Benin City in 1897; subsequently, large parts of the collection were transported to England, dispersed through the art trade, and transferred to museum and private collections. The volume thus marks the beginning of the debate – which continues to be fiercely contested to this day – on provenance, colonial violence and the restitution of African cultural heritage. - An important foundational work in Benin studies, an early example of museum publications on Africa, and a significant primary source on the history of reception and collection of West African court art. Africa. – With numerous text illustrations and 32 mounted monochrome collotype plates. (6), 61 pp. Folio. Publisher’s green half-morocco over cloth, spine with five raised bands and gilt-stamped title on the spine and front cover. - Spine ends rubbed. First edition of this important early museum catalogue of the works of art brought to Great Britain following the British punitive expedition to Benin City in 1897. This lavishly illustrated volume documents outstanding works of court art from the Kingdom of Benin: cast brass objects, or so-called ‘Benin Bronzes’, including relief plaques, royal and commemorative heads, and figures of dignitaries and animals, as well as ivory carvings, coral regalia and wooden objects. Individual objects now held in the British Museum are illustrated in the catalogue and can be identified there, amongst others, on Plates VII, VIII, IX and XV. The publication is significant not only as an early scholarly catalogue of these holdings, but also as a key document of their colonial acquisition history. The Benin objects discussed in the catalogue were directly linked to the British invasion and looting of Benin City in 1897. Subsequently, substantial parts of the collection were taken to England, dispersed through the art trade, and transferred to museum and private collections. The volume thus marks the beginning of a debate – still fiercely contested today – concerning provenance, colonial violence and the restitution of African cultural heritage. An important foundational work for Benin studies, an early example of a museum publication devoted to African art, and a major primary source for the reception and collecting history of West African court art. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard tax regime. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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