A rare pair of Thomas Ona carved wood figures, Yoruba, West Africa
A rare pair of Thomas Ona carved wood figures, Yoruba, West Africa
Circa 1915
Size: 30cm & 29cm high
Circa 1915
Size: 30cm & 29cm high
Thomas Ona was a renowned Yoruba artist who carved colonial and
commemorative figures for the early tourist trade at the beginning of
the 20th century. The Oba or King is viewed as sacred in Benin and he and his court are
the centre of Benin culture. This Oba King figure celebrates the return
of the court in 1914 after the Benin punitive expedition led by the
British in 1897, which destroyed most of the palace and city and exiled
the King. In 1914 the King's son was allowed to return to restore the
monarchy and began rebuilding the palace. These figured were collected in 1916 and were carved by the hand of Thomas Ona to commemorate the return of the Oba.
commemorative figures for the early tourist trade at the beginning of
the 20th century. The Oba or King is viewed as sacred in Benin and he and his court are
the centre of Benin culture. This Oba King figure celebrates the return
of the court in 1914 after the Benin punitive expedition led by the
British in 1897, which destroyed most of the palace and city and exiled
the King. In 1914 the King's son was allowed to return to restore the
monarchy and began rebuilding the palace. These figured were collected in 1916 and were carved by the hand of Thomas Ona to commemorate the return of the Oba.
A rare pair of Thomas Ona carved wood figures, Yoruba, West Africa
SOLD