Lion, carved wood, traces of white pigment; grooved mane; head turned to side, snarling mouth, stub of canines; self base badly insect damaged so left rear foot appears to be up in the air; prominent claws, left rear foot damaged; bad crack on back, man minor cracks; height at front: 50 cm; length of base: 60.5 cm.
Donor:
(anonymous)
Collection place:
Republic of Benin
Verbatim coll. place:
Dahomey (Aboney)
Culture or time period:
Dahomey
Collector:
David King
Collection date:
ca. 1969
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Figurines and Lions
Function:
3.1 Status Objects and Insignia of Office
Context of use:
One of a pair that supposedly flanked the throne of the king. Made pre-1880, donor says mid-late 19th century.
Department:
Africa (except Ancient Egypt)
Loans:
S1984-1985 #12: M. H. de Young Memorial Museum (September 27, 1984–April 29, 1985) and S1990-1991 #23: Blackhawk Museums (March 20, 1991–August 16, 1994)