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HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Benin : Benin Bronze Hip Ornament in the Form of a Leopard's Head
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Benin Bronze Hip Ornament in the Form of a Leopard's Head - PF.4483
Origin: Southcentral Nigeria
Circa: 16
th
Century AD
to 18
th
Century AD
Dimensions:
6.75" (17.1cm) high
x 4" (10.2cm) wide
Collection: African
Style: Benin
Medium: Bronze
£9,000.00
Location: UAE
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| Description |
It is believed by the Benin people that the first
inhabitants, the Bini, came from heaven. The
Benin state emerged in what is today Nigeria
around the 13th Century A.D., and became a
flourishing kingdom by the 15th Century. At the
center of political, social and religious life was
the Oba, or king who ruled with absolute power.
Acquiring vast wealth through monopolies in
commercial exchanges with the Portuguese and
his portion in the ivory trade, the kings spent
lavishly on art, employing a guild of artisans who
lived in the same district of the city. Most of the
objects are in bronze, and the Benin artists
developed extraordinary expertise in this art
form. Their fame spread widely throughout the
western world as museums began collecting their
works.
This comes as no surprise when seeing such an
example as this lovely mask. The detail is
remarkable, especially when considering it is
done in the difficult substance of bronze. It
depicts a zoomorphic face, very much like a
stylized jaguar or panther. Elements of pure
fantasy blend with realism- its teeth are long and
fiercesome, similar to a boar. The eyes glare out
as if peering through the night; and if we let our
imagination run free we can almost see the glint
of a mighty cat's eyes glitter in the jungle
darkness. The ears are more like leaves or
flowers of some exotic plant, but suit the face
absolutely perfectly. This mask would have been
worn by the Oba during important ceremonies,
and what a superb sight it must have been! The
entire object is so cleverly designed, with
naturalistic detail and mythical aspects, a
creature of delightful whimsy and power emerges
from bronze, radiating its own special light, fit
for a king.
- (PF.4483)
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