Own a piece of history. This is a hand made Nigerian made bronze sculpture of Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi of Kingdom of Benin. Ovonramwen Nogbaisi (ruled 18881897), also called Overami, was the ba (king) of the Kingdom of Benin (part of present day Nigeria) up until the British punitive expedition of 1897. Born in circa 1857, he was the son of ba Adl. He took the name Ovnramwn Ngbaisi at his enthronement in 1888. Every ba took a new name at his coronation, Ovnramwn meaning “The Rising Sun” and Ngbaisi meaning “which spreads over all”. At the end of the 19th century, the Kingdom of Benin had managed to retain its independence and the ba exercised a monopoly over trade which the British found irksome. The territory was coveted by an influential group of investors for its rich natural resources such as palm-oil, rubber and ivory. The kingdom was largely independent of British control, and pressure continued from figures such as Vice-Consul James Robert Phillips and Captain Gallwey (the British vice-Consul of Oil Rivers Protectorate) who were pushing for British annexation of the Benin Empire and the removal of the ba. A British invasion force headed by Phillips set out to overthrow the ba in 1896. The force’s weapons were hidden in baggage, with troops disguised as bearers. Phillips plan was to gain access to Ovonramwen’s palace by announcing that he intended to negotiate. Having been warned on several further occasions on the way, Phillips sent his stick to the ba, a deliberate insult designed to provoke the conflict that would provide an excuse for British annexation. Phillip’s expedition was ambushed and all but two were killed. Subsequently, a military operation against Benin in 1897 led by Harry Rawson resulted in the burning of Benin City, the destruction and looting of the royal palaces, and the deaths of untold numbers of its inhabitants. However, this offer was dismissed as Moor had already discovered them. Ovonramwen was exiled to Calabar with two of his wives, Queen Egbe and Queen Aighobahi. He was received and hosted in Calabar in a small town called Essien Town by Etinyin Essien Etim Offiong, the progenitor of Essien Town. He died in Calabar around the turn of the new year in 1914. Ovnramwn was eventually buried in the grounds of the royal palace in Benin City. He was succeeded by his first son and legitimate heir, Prince Aguobasimwin, who ruled as Eweka II. This majestically beautiful piece of Art is in great Vintage condition with some minor imperfections in the metalwork (rough areas; small openings) due to the hand-casting process. There is also a lovely patina that adds to the character of the piece. Width: 7.5 inches. Weight: 13.8 lbs. The item “Hand Made Nigerian Bronze Sculpture of Oba (King) Ovonramwen Nogbaisi 18881897″ is in sale since Sunday, October 25, 2020. This item is in the category “Art\Art Sculptures”. The seller is “chike92211″ and is located in Chicago, Illinois. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Medium: Bronze
• Culture: African
• Type: Statue
• Originality: Reproduction
• Placement: Table