Large heavy bronze leopard head plaque, Benin City, Nigeria, ca. 1980

Magnificent large and heavy bronze "plaque" of a leopard's head made of bronze. Since the 16th century, the Benins have been known for their high-quality bronze statues. That tradition still continues. The leopard symbolizes courage and strength and appears in many statues. This plaque is beautifully styled with great detail and a strong appearance! Here and there some imperfections arose during casting. Cast using the lost wax method (cire perdue) where the mold is lost during the casting process. This makes it a unique piece. Beautiful deep bronze colour. Look closely at the photos!

Length: 40 cm
Width: 22 cm
Weight: 2125 grams !!
Origin: Benin City region, Nigeria
Date: approx. 1980