Benin Kingdom — Nigeria
17th–18th century
Cast bronze
Provenance: Peter Adler, London
Christie's, December 4, 1990, Lot 110
Bonhams, London, February 1, 1995, Lot 12
Publication: “African Hats and Jewelry”, Clarke (Duncan), Chartwell Books, New Jersey 1998:31
Leopard imagery occupies a central place in the visual language of Benin royal authority, where the animal's power served as a direct analog for the force of the oba, or king. This ornament, cast in the form of a leopard's head, was worn at the waist as part of the ceremonial costume displayed during palace festivals, occasions on which the oba and titleholders appeared in full regalia of coral beads, fine textiles, and cast brass and ivory ornaments to enact the ideology of divine kingship before the court. The relationships between the king, chiefs, and titleholders were made visible through these ritual performances, and the objects worn carried specific meanings within that hierarchical order.
The piece was examined personally by Bill Fagg, curator at the British Museum and one of the foremost 20th century authorities on Benin court art, who attributed it to the 17th to 18th century dating range.
Benin bronze casting reached a sustained level of technical and formal sophistication over several centuries of royal patronage, with the oba's court controlling both the production and distribution of cast metal objects. Belt ornaments of this type are documented in major museum collections of Benin court material, including the British Museum, and represent one of the more precisely understood categories within the corpus of royal regalia.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Benin Kingdom — Nigeria
17th–18th century
Cast bronze
Provenance: Peter Adler, London
Christie's, December 4, 1990, Lot 110
Bonhams, London, February 1, 1995, Lot 12
Publication: “African Hats and Jewelry”, Clarke (Duncan), Chartwell Books, New Jersey 1998:31
Leopard imagery occupies a central place in the visual language of Benin royal authority, where the animal's power served as a direct analog for the force of the oba, or king. This ornament, cast in the form of a leopard's head, was worn at the waist as part of the ceremonial costume displayed during palace festivals, occasions on which the oba and titleholders appeared in full regalia of coral beads, fine textiles, and cast brass and ivory ornaments to enact the ideology of divine kingship before the court. The relationships between the king, chiefs, and titleholders were made visible through these ritual performances, and the objects worn carried specific meanings within that hierarchical order.
The piece was examined personally by Bill Fagg, curator at the British Museum and one of the foremost 20th century authorities on Benin court art, who attributed it to the 17th to 18th century dating range.
Benin bronze casting reached a sustained level of technical and formal sophistication over several centuries of royal patronage, with the oba's court controlling both the production and distribution of cast metal objects. Belt ornaments of this type are documented in major museum collections of Benin court material, including the British Museum, and represent one of the more precisely understood categories within the corpus of royal regalia.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
