Unidentified

Leopard Head Hip Ornament (uhunmwaun-ekhue)

circa 16th-19th century

Category
Culture
Edo: Benin Kingdom
Place Made
Nigeria
Materials
Brass, iron
Measurements
7 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 2 in (18.415 x 13.335 x 5.08 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Françoise Billion Richardson in memory of her sister Armande Billion
Accession #
90.32
Description

Heavy bronze hip ornament in the shape of a leopard's head, with large eyes and nose, oval ears with incised leaf-like veins, upper and lower fangs, and representations of whiskers on cheeks. Bottom half of round face has protruding decorative openwork frill. Overall pattern of stamped dots arranged in circles.