14 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.
Copper alloy

This remarkable Benin plaque portrays the Oba grasping two leopards by their tails, with a belt of living mudfish encircling his waist. The leopard, symbolizing swiftness and aggression, serves as a metaphor for the Oba's authority. Meanwhile, the mudfish, residing in oceans and rivers, symbolize royal power and the source of coral regalia. The large bead at the center of his chest, known as the bead of rule, signifies his status as the Oba. Together, these powerful symbols underscore the almost supernatural power attributed to the Oba of Benin, conveying his unmatched status and authority within the kingdom.