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John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
Royal Procession
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, photography credit Joel Benjamin
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Royal Procession

Artifact IDMO 63.502
Object Type Sculpture
Date c. 1960
Date Presented6/15/62
Gifter
Maker
Place MadeDahomey, Africa
Place of GiftWashington, D.C., United States
Medium Brass, wood, copper, lead solder
DimensionsOverall W 30 7/8 in (78.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionSculpture of 33 cast brass figures mounted on wood depicting a royal procession. The king is carried by bearers under a canopy with musicians and attendants preceding and following him. The attendants carry an umbrella, flags, musical instruments, etc.
Historical NoteThis sculpture was presented to President Kennedy by Louis Ignacio-Pinto, Dahomey ambassador to the United States, on behalf of Dahomey's president, Hubert Maga, during a good-will visit to the United States on June 15, 1962.

The art of metal casting was not widespread in Africa but was practiced in a masterly way by the Benin people, the Ashanti, and the Abomey who made small figure groups cast in brass by the lost-wax technique. The lively movement of the simplified bodies exercised the considerable influence on contemporary sculpture.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links
Archives folder visit from good-will mission of Dahomey, Africa: Archives folder of good-will visit from Dahomey, Africa"