Eroro, quadrangular altar bell with a leopard’s head in high relief
Nigeria, Kingdom of Benin. 18th or 19th century. Copper alloy, lost wax casting. Commissioned from the Royal Bronze-casting Guild Igun Eronmwon, by the Royal Palace of Benin; by descent to Oba Ovonramwen (Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, 1857 - c. 1914; reign: 1888-1897); probably looted in 1897 from the Royal Palace during the British military occupation of Benin. Collection of Baron Maurice de Rothschild between ? and 1958; acquired on that date at Bellevue (Geneva) for CHF 485.- by the Geneva Ethnography Museum at the Baron de Rothschild collections auction
MEG Inv. ETHMU 027421
