Leopardfigur aus Knochen - Figure - Benin
05
days
11
hours
13
minutes
58
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 900 - € 1,000
No bids placed
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 124522 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
Leopard figure carved from bone with ceramic and metal elements, originating from Benin and associated with Benin royal symbolism, provenance from an old collection dating to around 1900, dimensions 32 cm high, 13 cm wide, 52 cm deep, weight 5.71 kg.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Abstract stylized leopard made from leg/bone fragments, fastened with steel nails. The individual leg pieces are bound together with a mass (clay?). Due to the heavy weight of the figure, one can assume that the figure was originally shaped from clay, then clad with the leg plates and subsequently fired. Leopards were regarded as the “Kings of the Forest” and were an important symbol of royal power in Benin. Obas (the rulers of Benin) kept a number in captivity and maintained specialized guilds of leopard hunters at the court. Leopard models made of bronze or ivory adorned the palace in Benin City. The Benin kings were often depicted with a pair of leopards as a symbol of sovereignty.
Provenance: From an old collection that had already been assembled around 1900. The pre-predecessor owner was a zoo director and himself organized several expeditions to Africa between 1900 and 1930. This figure was purchased a few years ago by his son (who was 92 years old at the time).
The buyer will then receive the corresponding pictures to go with it.
Insured shipping with tracking
Abstract stylized leopard made from leg/bone fragments, fastened with steel nails. The individual leg pieces are bound together with a mass (clay?). Due to the heavy weight of the figure, one can assume that the figure was originally shaped from clay, then clad with the leg plates and subsequently fired. Leopards were regarded as the “Kings of the Forest” and were an important symbol of royal power in Benin. Obas (the rulers of Benin) kept a number in captivity and maintained specialized guilds of leopard hunters at the court. Leopard models made of bronze or ivory adorned the palace in Benin City. The Benin kings were often depicted with a pair of leopards as a symbol of sovereignty.
Provenance: From an old collection that had already been assembled around 1900. The pre-predecessor owner was a zoo director and himself organized several expeditions to Africa between 1900 and 1930. This figure was purchased a few years ago by his son (who was 92 years old at the time).
The buyer will then receive the corresponding pictures to go with it.
Insured shipping with tracking
Details
Era
1900-2000
Weight
5710 g
No. of items
1
Title
Leopardfigur aus Knochen
Country of Origin
Benin
Material
Bone, Ceramic, Metal
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Height
32 cm
Width
13 cm
Depth
52 cm
Estimated Period
1920-1930
