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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Lion
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Lion

Artist/Maker (Benin)
Date20th century
Mediumwood and ivory
DimensionsOverall: 4 x 2 1/4 x 16 5/8 in. (10.2 x 5.7 x 42.2 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Thomas Wilson
Terms
    Object number94.0056
    DescriptionIn Africa, lions, in contrast to leopards, tend to have quite specific reference to individual leadership in a worldly rather than spiritual sense. Among the Fon, it is a symbol of Gele, a nineteenth century king of the Empire of Dahomey. Not surprisingly, Africans found it easy to relate to the colonial British use of the lion as a symbol of royal authority. African images of lions often have a European look about them.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 200-250
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early 6th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamileke people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1970
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    ca. 1900
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Kuba people
    mid 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Kongo people
    16th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    18th century