In this artwork, how is the Background discussed?
The Kingdom of Benin is now located in modern day Nigeria and is now known as Benin City. It is located in the tropical rain forests of southern Nigeria. Royal art in the Kingdom of Benin was made to glorify the Oba, the divine king who was the primary patron of the arts. The elaborate ceremonial costumes that hip ornaments are a part of originated from Oba Ewuare. Brass casting was almost exclusively at the command of the Oba and consisted mainly of ritual and ceremonial objects. Brass and other metals were used as symbols of permanence.
Most hip ornaments depict human faces. The leopard was considered to be the counterpart of the Oba and was seen as terrifying, but also symbolized a leader. Because of this symbolism only the Oba and war chiefs could wear leopard ornaments. They were seen as protective badges of honor and also a symbol of the power over life and death that the Oba had given the chiefs. This particular hip ornament displays the conventions used for leopards during this period in Benin art: overlapping fangs, three whiskers, slanted eyes, and leaf shaped ears. This hip ornament also resembles pectoral masks in that it has decorative flanges above and below the face with two lugs on each side.
Ewuare Oba Kingdom of Benin Oba Ewuare