贝宁王国的雄豹，气宇非凡。 - 花豹 - Beni-edo - 尼日利亞 (沒有保留價)

Leopard Royal - Bini-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 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.

Benin art is undeniably royal art.
Its supervision was the responsibility of one of the three orders in power, the Iwebo (the other two being Iweguae and Ibiwe).
This order was responsible for the king's regalia and personal effects.

Many artisan guilds were affiliated with this order. They worked primarily for the king and could not undertake commissions for other clients without royal authorization.
Bronze founders, ivory sculptors, weavers, tailors, and leather artisans are among the guilds led by the Iwebo.

The bronze leopards were intended to decorate the altars and were usually arranged in pairs.
Since they were used during libations and purification sacrifices, they were often given the form of an aquamanile.

In the past, leopards were among 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.