Leopard - ife (No reserve price)

Leopard Royal - Benin Edo - Benin - Benin Bronzes
The Kingdom of Benin, south of present-day Nigeria, is renowned for its magnificent bronzes and ivory sculptures.
These works constitute one of humanity's greatest treasures and are among the masterpieces housed in museums around the world.

The Oba's palace, where the sumptuous royal shrines were located, was regarded as the center of the capital and of the kingdom.

The art of Benin is unquestionably royal art.
Its governance was the work of one of the three ruling orders, the Iwebo (the other two being Iweguae and Ibiwe).
This order was responsible for the king's adornments and personal effects.

Many artisan guilds were affiliated with this order. They worked mainly for the king and could not undertake commissions of works for other clients without royal authorization.
Bronze founders, ivory carvers, weavers, tailors, and leatherworkers are among the guilds led by the Iwebo.

The bronze leopards were intended to decorate altars and usually came in pairs.
As they were used during libations and purification sacrifices, they were often given a form of aquamanile.

Historically, leopards were part of the palace's domestic animals. They were easy to tame and could even be kept on a leash.
On very grand occasions, the Oba sacrificed a leopard—a custom that was observed until the early 20th century, during the Igue festival.