Lot 199
F. v. Luschan, Die Altertümer von Benin. 1 Textbd. u. 2 Tafelbde. Berlin u. Leipzig 1919.
Estimate
€ 900
Starting Price
€ 600
Lot:
199
Category:
Geography and work of views
Artist:
Felix von Luschan
Luschan, Felix von: Die Altertümer von Benin. 1 Text- und 2 Tafelbände. Berlin u. Leipzig: Vereinigung Wissenschaftlicher Verleger Walter de Gruyter & Co. vormals G.J. Göschen'sche Verlagshandlung - J. Guttentag, Verlagsbuchhandlung Georg Reimer, Karl J. Trübner - Veit & Comp. 1919. 35,2 x 26,3 cm. With 129 plates (50;79) and illustrations in the text. XI pp., 1 unnumbered p. 522 pp., A-Z(Illustrations). Blue original half-linen.
(Covers scuffed and bumped. Upper head of the text volume torn off. Brown stains and discolouration. Signs of age and wear.)
Published as part of the series ‘Veröffentlichungen aus dem Museum für Völkerkunde’ (Berlin), with the text volume appearing as Volume VIII and the illustrated volumes as Volumes IX and X. ‘The Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin owes a large part of its holdings to his organisational skills, in particular the collection of Benin antiquities, to which L. devoted a three-volume work. His teaching as the first full professor of anthropology in Berlin contributed significantly to the dissemination of this discipline in Germany.” (NDB).
The objects described originated largely from a British punitive expedition and were acquired by the museum from English dealers and at English auctions at Luschans’ instigation towards the end of the 19th century. Once recognised as looted artefacts, ownership of these objects was contractually transferred to Nigeria in 2022. Some of the Benin sculptures may remain in Berlin on loan and continue to be exhibited.
(Covers scuffed and bumped. Upper head of the text volume torn off. Brown stains and discolouration. Signs of age and wear.)
Published as part of the series ‘Veröffentlichungen aus dem Museum für Völkerkunde’ (Berlin), with the text volume appearing as Volume VIII and the illustrated volumes as Volumes IX and X. ‘The Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin owes a large part of its holdings to his organisational skills, in particular the collection of Benin antiquities, to which L. devoted a three-volume work. His teaching as the first full professor of anthropology in Berlin contributed significantly to the dissemination of this discipline in Germany.” (NDB).
The objects described originated largely from a British punitive expedition and were acquired by the museum from English dealers and at English auctions at Luschans’ instigation towards the end of the 19th century. Once recognised as looted artefacts, ownership of these objects was contractually transferred to Nigeria in 2022. Some of the Benin sculptures may remain in Berlin on loan and continue to be exhibited.