Africa, Benin; cast bronze

Approx. 6.5”x2”x7”

The leopard is a motif that occurs throughout many of the Benin Bronzes, because it is the animal that symbolizes the Oba (or King) of royal and regal power. While the collection is known as the Benin Bronzes, like most West African "bronzes" the pieces are mostly made of brass of variable composition. The metal pieces were made using lost-wax casting and are considered among the best sculptures made using this technique.