Old African Benin Kingdom Bronze Sitting Leopard Lost Wax Statue, Nigeria Africa

Description

This is an antique African Benin Kingdom tribal bronze / brass leopard which comes From Nigeria, Africa. This amazing Benin African leopard art piece measures 11 inches long x 3.50 inches wide x 10.50 inches high and is in great condition with a little casting flaw to the tip of the tail.
The Benin Kingdom was strong throughout the 15th and 16th Centuries and was located in West Africa bordering what is now Nigeria and Togo. Benin Clans were ruled by a King which was known as the Oba and who was the divine ruler of the Benin people. The people of Benin are called Bini and are descended from the Ife peoples. The making of these Benin bronzes were strictly considered court art and were made exclusively for the palace of the Oba and were designed to venerate the achievements and memories of the Obas and their Queens also called Iyobas or Queen Mothers who ruled throughout the time of the kingdom. The metalsmiths were very talented and used complex wax casting techniques which were far ahead of their time. Their work in bronze, copper and iron was extremely refined and their methods of metal smelting, forging and lost wax methods exceeded any seen in Europe until the 19th century. Lost-wax casting sometimes called by the French name of cire perdue (from the Latin cera perduta) is the process by which a brass or bronze sculpture is cast from an artist's carving usually made from wax. Very intricate works can be achieved with this method, depending on the carver's skills.
The majority of everyday Benin objects were made for and associated with court ceremonies. The figures of a leopard were the sole property of the oba – the leopard was the royal animal.
Perfect addition to any African art collection. I love to combine shipping on multiple buys so check out my ebay store where I have thousands of item to browse through. For buyers of multiple items please email me when you are done shopping for your custom made invoice with combined shipping & insurance fees.