Item.

Fine Bronze Leopard Head.

Origin.

Edo People of Nigeria.

Use.

All representation of Benin Bronze Leopard paid homage to the animal believed to be the "King of the forest" in ancient Benin empire.

They were crafted by very skilled artisan , masterful at working with metal, to emphasise the standing of the Leopard in Benin past culture.

Leopard are especially valuable because they show the bravery of the King and his special team of Leopard Hunters.

The Leopard was regard as the "king of the forest" and of animals in Ancient Benin while the Oba of Benin is the King of the entire land and man.  

The Oba had the special and sole privilege of capturing a leopard he would hunt in the forest with his  association of leopard hunters equipped with "special powers" which enabled them to kill or capture Leopards without losing their own lives.

The Leopard hunt is especially to show that the Oba is supreme over man and animal

Captured and tamed Leopard accompanied the Oba of Benin on his annual procession through Benin City.

Leopard were also very important symbols of Benin military might. They were symbols of indomitable strength and bravery.

Description.

A visually stunning and well-crafted bronze Leaopard head. Patina is oxidised to now be the dull brown seen on old bronze

Good form, balance and symmetry throughout.

This is a large example at 30cm high and weighing approximately 4.5kg

Minor degradation, rust and thinning of the bronze exterior.

Good attention to details throughout. Superior example that is genuinely old and created several decades ago.

Please note, as with all my bronze offerings,  this is a personal find from Edo State of Nigeria which is the home of the Ancient Benin Empire that produced the many examples of beautiful Benin bronze collected worldwide today. 

Measurement.

30cm high x 16cm wide x 20cm deep.

Weight.

3.5kg

Postage information.

Please note we are a UK-based seller who trade internationally and mainly by obtaining tribal artifacts directly in their area of creation and use as we rate authenticity higher than anything else per tribal art.

We sometime therefore send items, especially big items, directly from where they were field-collected as this saves duplication of cost and effort for us.

Please allow at least two weeks for delivery after payment is made. Thank you..