During the British Expeditionto Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, ivory, coral and wood were looted by British soldiers from the royal palace, its storerooms and compounds. Some of these objects were sold or exchanged on the coast. However, many were brought to the UK where they were sold through private auction, donated to museums, or retained by soldiers of the expedition See Collection File: Af1897,1217.1-6.
Waist-pendant; lost-wax cast in brass. U-shaped in form with (now missing) large suspension loop at top. Depicts in relief oversized central leopard's head flanked by two European figures facing each other. Figure on left proper holds truncated spear. Series of small loops around outer edge of pendant for suspension of crotals or bells.
There are three recorded pendants of this type with almost identical subject matter. The others are in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburg (acc. no. C.2.389) and in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Dresden (now unlocated).~Read & Dalton 1899: Similar pendant to Af1897,1277.5, having in relief a pair of European figures separated by a large leopard's face. One holds a flask and is threatened by the other with a pike. Both are long-haired, and dressed alike in hemispherical hats, sleeveless surcoats over jerkins, belts, bases, and short breeches.
Exhibited: 1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa 1977 London, BM, Animals in Art 1991 Feb-Apr, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Man and Metal in Ancient Nigeria 2007-2008 Apr-Oct, Bristol, Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Slavery, Abolition and the Making of Modern Britain