Property from Very Important Private Collection Provenance: Important Dutch private collection. Mrs. and Mr. D. Gillissen The objects were collated in the 1970’s till late 1990’s. All were bought from reputable tribal art dealers in Amsterdam (Lemaire; Italiaander Galleries, Kunst-en Antiekhandel J S Becker and Paul Rutten Asiatic and Tribal Art) and France (Expert Arts Primitifs Raoul Lehuard) Note: It will be professionally packed and safely sent within 3 working days. Shipped with Insurance! Pectoral Ethnicity: Benin Country: Nigeria Material: bronze Height: 19 cm. This pectoral, perfectly authentic, represents a Leopard head. This type of pectoral adorned (still adorns) the belt of notables. In my opinion, this piece dates back to the end of the 18th century, or even the beginning of the 19th century. Condition: Wear consisted with the age, very small holes, oxidation. For its age excellent condition. Additional information: The transmission of courtly culture flowed in both directions between Benin and the Owo and Ijebu kingdoms. Royal pendants and masquettes, openwork bracelets, and altar sculpture are some of the art forms that found broad dissemination and usage within this region. Chiefs and titleholders in the Benin kingdom utilized a variety of brass ornaments as part of elaborate costumes for palace ceremonies. Worn on the hip or chest, these pendant sculptures indicated the wearer’s rank and fealty to the oba (king). Such objects were highly ornate, displaying the iconography of Benin leadership or a representation of the oba himself.