Edo Bronze Leopard – Raised Tail

Dimensions and Weight

Length: approx. 60.5 cm

Width: approx. 15 cm

Height: approx. 72 cm

Weight: approx. 13 kg

Origin and Cultural Context

This piece originates from the Kingdom of Benin and was crafted according to traditional Edo techniques. The leopard with a raised tail can be interpreted as being on alert, ready to pounce, adding a dynamic layer to its symbolism.

Statue Features

Finely cast in bronze, this sculpture depicts a standing leopard with its tail raised, symbolizing heightened vigilance. The engraved details, inlaid eyes, and geometric motifs emphasize the animal’s strength and its ritual or decorative function.

Cultural Significance

The raised-tail leopard reinforces the image of power in motion. It conveys not only royalty but also divine intervention in human affairs. Such statues were used to affirm the ritual authority of the king and to strengthen the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.

Provenance

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

Transferred to the Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.

 

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