An architect by profession and a collector by instinct, Arnold Syrop was a pioneer for his interest in this particular area of African material culture, developing what Susan Kloman in her introduction calls "one of the best eyes" in the field of African bronze artefacts.
As remarked by the author/collector in his preface, these bronzes are for the most part "spiritual in nature," their function being to protect and give strength to their owner.
Text in English and French.