superb royal leopard - bini/edo - Nigeria (No Reserve Price)

Royal Leopard - Bini Edo - Benin - Benin Bronzes
The Kingdom of Benin, in the south of present-day Nigeria, is renowned for its magnificent bronzes and ivory carvings.
These works constitute one of humanity's greatest treasures and are among the centerpieces of museums around the world.

The Oba's palace, where the sumptuous royal shrines were located, was considered the centre of the capital and the kingdom.

The art of Benin is undoubtedly a royal art.
Its supervision was carried out by one of the three ruling orders, Iwebo (the other two being Iweguae and Ibiwe) .
This order was responsible for the king's finery and personal effects.

Affiliated to this order were numerous artisan brotherhoods. They worked primarily for the king and could only carry out commissions for other clients with royal permission.
Bronze smelters, ivory carvers, weavers, tailors and leather craftsmen are some of the brotherhoods led by the Iwebo.

The bronze leopards were intended to decorate altars and usually came in pairs.
As they were used in libations and purification sacrifices, they were often given the form of aquamanile.

In the past, leopards were among the domestic animals of palaces. They were easy to tame and could even be kept on a leash.
On the occasion of major festivals, the Oba sacrificed a leopard - a custom that was observed until the early 20th century, during the Igue festival.