Kola nut container ·  Nigeria, Benin · ID: 3032192

Description

light brown wood, brown patina, in form of a leopard’s head with visible teeth and carved dots, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
the leopard symbolizes the total harmony between two forces: menace and temperance, attributes an ideal leader (oba) should have. Like the Oba, the leopard has the privilege of a leader, the “right to kill” so he stands above life.

The object Kola nut container with the object ID 3032192 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 94 achieved a sales price of EUR 550.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.

Comparing literature

Roberts, Allen F., Animals in African Art, New York 1995, p. 170, ill. 120