Elephant figure

19th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 341
Fon silver works such as this elephant served as objects of power and prestige owned by a ruler of the Fon kingdom of Dahomey in the present-day Republic of Benin. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the kingdom of Dahomey prospered as a major center of the international slave trade. The Fon kings were important art patrons who engaged court artists to create items that enhanced their status. During annual festivities called huetantu, these lavish sculptures and textiles were paraded through the capital to celebrate the kingdom's wealth and military might.

The almost constant warfare that was required to maintain a steady supply of captured slaves resulted in a culture of militarism centered on the person of the king. According to some sources, such precious, metal-covered objects, were not simply prestige objects but might be filled with supernaturally potent materials to protect the monarch and aid him in his military exploits. During times of war, mystically fortified sculptures, called bocio, were placed in palace shrines where they were the focus of prayers and sacrifices to Gu, the deity associated with war.

During these times of crisis and before the coronation of a new ruler, the Fon leadership might consult fa, the regional system of divination. The elephant is one of fa's 256 symbols. It was associated with a specific ruler to help provide insights into the events that would mark his life. A ruler was so intimately allied with his emblem that it was believed he could assume that animal's form. Proverbs, poems, and songs are used to interpret each sign and corresponding visual arts. The elephant is associated with both the Dahomey ruler King Guezo (r. 1818–58) and his son Glele (r. 1858–89). The animal is believed to evoke strength, royal legacy, and enduring memory as exemplified in the following proverbs: "There where the elephant passes in the forest, one knows" and "The animal steps on the ground, but the elephants step down with strength."

This exquisite example, comprised of a wooden core covered in hammered silver sheeting, was created by members of the royal guild at the height of the kingdom's influence. Few such silver Fon works were produced and the Fon emphasis on uniqueness, innovation, and originality increases their rarity.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Elephant figure
  • Artist: Hountondji guild artists
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Republic of Benin, Court of Abomey
  • Culture: Fon
  • Medium: Silver-copper alloy
  • Dimensions: H. 8 5/8 × W. 5 1/2 × D. 23 5/8 in. (21.8 × 14 × 60 cm)
  • Classification: Metal-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Anne d'Harnoncourt and Joseph Rishel, in memory of Rene and Sarah Carr d'Harnoncourt and Nelson A. Rockefeller, 2002
  • Object Number: 2002.517.2
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

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.