Beninese Royal Leopard Head

Spots like coins, fangs like tent pegs, and a stare set in bronze.

This royal leopard head comes from Benin, in West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is bronze. In the art of the Benin court, the leopard was an emblem of royal power, the ruler of the forest set beside the ruler of the people. Raised rings cover the skull in rows, standing in for spots. Almond eyes sit under pricked ears, the broad nose has two open nostrils, and fangs curve down at the front. The surface is dark with a greenish cast. It measures 10 inches wide and 6 deep.

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