Lion
Artist/Maker
Fon people
(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 viewCollections
18th century