Galerie Peter Herrmann
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Ancient Art from Africa - Benin & Ife |
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Thermoluminescence - Expertise
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Leopard
Benin, Nigeria
160 Jahre
H 30,5 x L 49 cm
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The portrayal of leopards is firmly anchored in the history of Benin. Seen as an imperial symbol of the Oba's power, the animal features heavily in many metaphors for the king. Accordingly, several royal guilds are responsible for the capture, taming and sacrifice of leopards, which, because they can be easily tamed, were often kept as pets and loyal attendants once they were captured.
The use of circles to denote fur and a fishbone pattern to adorn the ears is typical of representations of leopards in Benin, where the animals also often appear as aquamaniles - royal ewers used for various ritual ablutions.
Cp.:
Barbara PLANKENSTEINER (Hg.): Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007, S. 278 - 279.
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General Pitt Rivers's Museum at Farnham, Dorset
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Augustus Henry PITT-RIVERS: Antique Works of Art from Benin, London 1900 (Reprint 1971), S. 89.
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The National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria (Slg. Robert Allman)
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Barbara PLANKENSTEINER (Hg.): Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007, S. 279.
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| Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde, München |
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Barbara PLANKENSTEINER (Hg.): Benin. Könige und Rituale. Höfische Kunst aus Nigeria, Wien 2007, S. 432.
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