Figure of a Court Eunuch

• Title Figure of a Court Eunuch
• Category Sculpture
• Medium Bronze
• Dimensions 29"h x 8.5"w x 8"d
• Framed Dimensions 29"h
• Notes Benin bronze court art was originally made by expert craftsmen in the direct service of the Oba, or king, and subject matter is always of the court. This figure was likely made using the cire-perdue method of casting, which was used as far back as 500 years ago.* In Edo, the language of Benin, ‘to remember’ sa-e-y-ama means to cast a motif in bronze. The act of casting the bronze captures the memory. Court art's main purpose was to glorify godlike kings and the history of the powerful empire. Most figures portrayed, such as this, are only identifiable based on clothing or attributes that refer to their position in the court, not their individual historical personage. Eunuchs are castrated males, typically operated upon in boyhood.* The death rates of castration were high; in West Africa, about 90% of those castrated died. Eunuchs and women made up the court, as often not only the women but the eunuchs were viewed as legal wives of the king, such as in Dahomey. *Barbara Plankensteiner, “Benin: Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria.” (African Arts, vol.40, no. 4, 2007), 74-87. *Jan Hogendorn, “The Hideous Trade. Economic Aspects of the ‘Manufacture’ and Sale of Eunuchs.” (Paideuma, vol.45, 1999), 137-60.
• Artist
• Credit Clyde and Annie Matters Collection
• Location Library Art Storage Oversize
• Accession Number 1994.0029
• Status Available Request this art work
  
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