Unidentified Fon Artist
Date:
1858–1889
Medium:
Silver alloy over horn
Size:
Depth: 5cm
Width: 8cm
Height: 24cm

The fine ornamental wire, or filigree, on this work suggests that it was likely created during the reign of King Glele of Dahomey, who ruled between 1858 and 1889. In the 19th century, the kings of Dahomey visually linked themselves to their European trading partners by commissioning objects inspired by European decorative arts. Glele was particularly fond of the French design, and the filigree on this work can be traced back to elite styles in Paris. More than art connected Dahomey to France; however, the wealth that funded the creation of these works came from the illegal kidnapping and sale of enslaved persons.

Anonymous Gift BMA 2002.112

Enslaved Artists?

Transcript

[Aaron Henkin] The Dahomey Kingdom was located in what is today the country of Benin.
[Pierre Larson] The king of Dahomey, we know, kept artists in workshops. Kings are individuals who are looking out for talent and they’ll bring it to their court, whether they find it in the free or the enslaved. These enslaved artists would come from various parts of Africa surrounding Dahomey, and they would share artistic styles with each other.
[Aaron Henkin] It really changes the whole way you look at a piece of art when you realize that it was made by someone who was enslaved.
[Pierre Larson] It does, and something to ponder, that may not be so uncommon as we look at different pieces of art, both in this installation of African art and in other parts of the museum. Fine art is sometimesassociated in very interesting ways, sometimes very odd ways, with the powerful and those who don’t have much power.