African Fine Arts - AFRICAN-ART

At the end of the 17th century the wooden pillars that supported the king's palace were covered with brass plaques such as this one. Like coral and ivory, brass was a material with royal connotations and its use was strictly controlled. By the end of the 19th century or earlier, the plaques were abandoned in favor of a palace made entirely of metal. The scenes depicted on the plaques referred to court ceremonies. This example shows the center character atop a horse; the two figures alongside him each holding a shield with the face of a leopard, as well as other regalia including a ceremonial dance sword, the eben, in the right hand of the man in the center. The leopard tooth necklaces are references to the king of the forest animals, whose ferocity is capable of driving away enemies. A forth smaller character (behind the spear handle) is blowing a horn.
25" high x 18" wide x 6" deep