African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity
African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity

African Cast Bronze Crocodile Figure with Hollow Belly Cavity

17593

$395.00
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Yoruba or Edo (Benin) Peoples, Nigeria, 20th Century

A vigorously modeled and richly textured African cast bronze figure of a crocodile in the West African lost-wax tradition, almost certainly Yoruba or Edo (Benin) work from southern Nigeria. The reptile is shown in a powerful sinuous pose with an upturned snout, gaping jaws revealing a small offering creature on the lower jaw, bulging cast eyes, and a row of pronounced dorsal scutes / spines running from the head to the curling tail. The entire surface is finely incised with rectangular crocodilian scale patterning that reads beautifully across the back, flanks, tail, and limbs. bThe crocodile is a major emblem in West African royal iconography. In Edo (Benin) court art, the crocodile (aganmwen) is the "policeman of the waters," sacred to Olokun, lord of the seas and source of wealth, and frequently depicted on royal altars, hip masks, and ceremonial regalia. In Yoruba belief, the crocodile is similarly associated with water spirits and threshold/ancestor power. Bronze crocodile figures of this scale typically functioned as shrine objects, altar weights, or prestige items displayed before chiefly or priestly assemblies. Size 5  inches L.  + wood mount. Provenance: From the estate of Jacques (1921-2023) and Frances Crampon (1922-2025). Captain Crampon was born in Belgium, joined the Merchant Marine, and eventually became a Captain in the US  Navy, on search and rescue ships. He and his wife, Frances, a singer and actress, met when she was on a USO tour to Japan.  Together they traveled the world, living for several years in Tokyo and Capetown. They were avid collectors of Asian, pre-Columbian and ancient and fine art. They also had an extensive collection of maps. Jacques and Frances settled down in the heart of Manhattan's Greenwich Village, where they remained until their deaths, after very full and interesting lives

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