ticketsMember | Make a donation

Warrior Figure

1455–1640
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 343
The term "Lower Niger Bronze Industry" has been used by art historians to classify ancient copper-alloy sculpture discovered in the area of the Niger Valley that could not be traced directly to the famous metalworking centers of Benin and Ife. Since this label actually refers to a multitude of provincial casting sites, each with varying styles and techniques, one scholar has suggested that "Lower Niger Bronze Industries" would be a more apt description. Less is known of Lower Niger Bronze Industry works than those of Benin and Ife, but their existence suggests that copper-alloy casting was once widespread in what is now southern Nigeria.

Lower Niger Bronze Industry works show stylistic affinities with works from Benin and Ife. This resolute warrior's distinctive forehead markings, leopard's tooth collar, bell pendant, and wrapper (worn around the lower body and swept up to the left) are those of a warrior from the Kingdom of Benin. The style in which he is rendered--with blutntly formed feet and heavily lidded eyes--however, distinguishes this work from representation produced at the Benin court. An intertwined loop, referred to asn an Aro knot and identified among burial goods in the ninth-century site of Igbo-Ukwu, adorns the warrior's armband and the handle of his sheathed knife. The Aro knot motif is pervasive, appearing on a variety of objects ranging from bells to staff finials. His leopard's tooth collar with a bell that guards his neck, intended to intimidate enemies and protect the wearer, would have been filled with medicines and worn in combat. His serene and steady eyes, slightly bulbous, seem to advise restraint.

Although it is not known how this object was originally displayed, the round holes in the center and heel of its feet could indicate that it was once attached to a larger structure. One scholar has suggested that it may even have stood upon the ridgepole of a house, where its vigilant demeanor would have made it an excellent guardian.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Warrior Figure
  • Artist: Lower Niger Valley caster
  • Date: 1455–1640
  • Geography: Nigeria, Lower Niger River region
  • Culture: Lower Niger Bronze Industry
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: H. 12 1/2 × W. 8 3/4 × D. 6 3/4 in. (31.8 × 22.2 × 17.1 cm)
  • Classification: Metal-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Edith Perry Chapman Fund, Rogers, Pfeiffer, Fletcher, and Dodge Funds; Gift of Humanities Fund Inc., by exchange; Mrs. Donald M. Oenslager Gift, in memory of her husband; Geert C. E. Prins Gift, and funds from various donors, 1977
  • Object Number: 1977.173
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Equestrian figure, Lower Niger Valley caster, Coppy alloy, Lower Niger Bronze Industry
Equestrian figure
Lower Niger Valley caster
15th–19th century
Protective Pendant, Lower Niger Valley caster, Copper alloy, Lower Niger Bronze Industry
Protective Pendant
Lower Niger Valley caster
15th–19th century
Staff finial with ram's head, Lower Niger Valley caster, Copper alloy, Lower Niger Bronze Industry
Staff finial with ram's head
Lower Niger Valley caster
15th–19th century
Altar Ring, Lower Niger Valley caster, Copper alloy, Yoruba peoples, Ife group
Altar Ring
Lower Niger Valley caster
16th century
Bell head, Lower Niger Valley caster, Copper alloy, Lower Niger Bronze Industry
Bell head
Lower Niger Valley caster
15th–19th century

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.