Black People in European Sculpture Project

88 (27/01/2022)

Bokani, a Pygmy Chief

A bronze bust of an adult male with his head turned to his left looking downwards. The sitter is depicted with closely cropped hair along with a moustache and beard. His earlobes are pierced.

Bust – Portrait

No base

Height: 35 cm

Width: 20 cm

Depth: 21 cm

Bronze

Casting

Patination

Monochrome – brown

Left shoulder: 'W.GOSCOMBE JOHN. / 1905.'

Identifiable: specific individual

Main protagonist

Male

Adult

Noble

No clothes included (head)

None

Earrings (often a single pearl)

Not relevant (head)

Neutral/emotionless

Passive

Looking sideways

No location included/implied

Twentieth century (1900-1999)

1905

Recorded in inscription

Didactic / Propagandistic

Commemorative

Decorative

Unknown

A 2626

1925: gifted to the National Museum Cardiff from Sir William Goscombe John

1905 - 1925: in the possession of the artist

In 1905 "Chief" Bokani was one of six Congolese Pygmies who arrived in the United Kingdom at the behest of Colonel James Harrison. They spent 30 months on display treated as 'living specimens' and appeared at various venues throughout the country. During this time, they were viewed by millions of people and even met the British King and Queen. When not on display, the group stayed at Harrison's estate, Brandesburton Hall, in East Yorkshire. They returned home in 1908.

During "Chief" Bokani's time in the United Kingdom a portrait bust was created of him by Welsh sculptor, William Goscombe John. The original plaster cast for this work is part of the Phrenological Collection of the Anatomical Museum, University of Edinburgh.