Pair of ivory Benin leopards. Leopards were considered ‘kings of the forest’ and were an important symbol of regal power in Benin. 19th century Nigeria, British Museum [1024×754]
by Remote_Finish_9429
Pair of ivory Benin leopards. Leopards were considered ‘kings of the forest’ and were an important symbol of regal power in Benin. 19th century Nigeria, British Museum [1024×754]
by Remote_Finish_9429
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https://www.rct.uk/collection/69926/carved-leopards
https://uwehistorycommunity.wordpress.com/2021/01/19/a-global-history-of-europe-two-carved-leopards-from-benin/
A pair of carved, stylized, ivory leopards, with spots of inlaid copper, each animal comprising five separable parts: head, shoulder and front legs, torso, hind quarters and tail. Each part made from a separate tusk. The copper for the spots was likely re-used from the percussion caps of contemporary rifles. Presented to Queen Victoria by Admiral Sir Harry Holdsworth Rawson (1843-1910) after the capture of Benin by British troops in 1897. One of the leopards is partially visible in a photograph, dated 1897, of items taken from the oba’s palace