TBC Neptune
Neptunes are brass or copper pans that became a highly sought-after import item in Benin during the 18th century, eventually replacing Ugianran (manilla) as a primary exchange commodity (Ben Amos 1999; Eisenhofer in Plankensteiner 2007, cat. nos. 32–34, p. 296). Unlike most of the other bronze and brass objects shown on Digital Benin, these were not produced by artists from the Igun-Ẹrọnmwọn but were made as trade goods in southern Germany (Weichmann 2022, p. 89). Although they are not among the most frequent motifs, they are symbolically important, representing the wealth brought to the Edo Kingdom through Olokun’s realm—the ocean. Neptunes are usually depicted being held by European figures with long, straight hair.
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