Edo Bronze Leopard Sculptures

Bronze Leopard Sculpture – Low Tail

Dimensions and Weight

Length: approximately 75 cm

Width: approximately 15 cm

Height: approximately 53 cm

Weight: approximately 12 kg

Origin and Cultural Context

These bronze leopard sculptures originate from the ancient Kingdom of Benin, located in present-day Nigeria. The Edo people, who established a powerful and artistically rich kingdom, created these sculptures using the lost-wax casting technique. Leopards held symbolic power as royal animals, closely associated with the Oba (king), and were often placed in palaces or shrines as emblems of strength, authority, and protection.

Statue Features

This low-tail leopard sculpture presents a proud and majestic feline in a walking posture, with precise anatomical details, spotted patterns engraved into the bronze surface, and a lowered tail. The open mouth and expressive eyes convey vigilance and vitality. The bronze has a rich patina developed over time, enhancing its historical value.

Cultural Significance

Leopards in Benin culture represent royal authority, ferocity, and spiritual protection. These bronze sculptures were used to decorate royal courtyards and altars and serve today as key testimonies to the artistic mastery and political power of the Edo Kingdom. Owning such a piece connects one to a long tradition of African bronze art and its ceremonial uses.

 

Provenance

Private collection ZAMBELLI/BRUGNACCHI, assembled between 1990 and 2023.

Transferred to the Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.

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