Item.

An amazing and authentic pair of standing  Benin bronze Leopards that is, in our opinion, one of the finest example to be found anywhere today. This pair is part of what is today described as the Benin Bronzes.

The Benin Bronzes are a group of more than a thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin in what is now the Midwest area of Nigeria.

Collectively, the Benin bronze objects form the best-known examples of Benin art and were created from the thirteenth century onwards by artists of the Edo people of Nigeria.

Origin.

Edo People of Nigeria.

Description.

Superior and excellently crafted example of the famous Benin bronze standing  pair of gaurdian Leopard figure. 

Many grades of quality exist for this iconic pair but our example is one of the best because they have been produced by highly skilled members of the Benin bronze casters guild who are familial descendant of the casters who made the first of the Benin bronzes over five hundred years ago.

Pair are masterfully well-crafted  with good form and balance. Attention to details is stunning with the Stylized Leopard spots arranged consistently and immaculately.

Facial features of fangs, nose, ears, whiskers etal are diligently captured.

Patination is the glistening gold hue of bronze creations less than a decade old. The pair will dullen in patina with time due to the oxidation process but this will happen much slower with bronze kept indoors and  away from the harshness of the elements.

One Leopard feature stretched-out tails whereas the tail of the second curls in above it's back.

Very heavy examples cast entirely from bronze and weighing almost 36kg in total with each Leopard weighing at around 17.5kg each.

Overall, a beautiful, authentic, sought-after and prominent pair.  Certainly a good example to consider offered at a great price.

Please note that this pair is an authentic Benin bronze creation we field-collected in Edo State of Nigeria which is the home today of the ancient Benin empire.

Thank you for looking.

Use.

These 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.

Newsletter on buying authentic Benin bronze.

If you want information on the unique perspective of Yemisi Gallery regarding the collection of authentic Benin bronze, kindly send us a request for it by contacting us.

Measurement.

Both Leopard are virtually identical in size and weight with the only major difference being the extended length of their tails.

Size of each Leopard is:

49cm high (feet to top of Ear)

18cm wide at front.

The leopard with tail extending backwards is

81cm deep.

The leopard with tail curled in above it's back is 58cm deep.

Weight: 

Each Leopard weighs 17.5kg approx

Combined weight is 35kg approx.

Postage Information.

The Pair is made from high quality bronze and therefore very heavy at close to 40kg total weight . It will require specialist packaging that will add likely another 4-6kg to overall postage weight hence postage cost .

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.