Un emblème du Roi Glèlè (1858-1889), goldsmith's work repres - Lot 102

Un emblème du Roi Glèlè (1858-1889), goldsmith's work representing a lion. Intimately linked to its divinatory sign, the lion was the emblem of King Glèlè, tenth king of the ancient kingdom of Abomey, and father of King Béhanzin. King Glèlè, whose fame and the pomp of the official ceremonies held in his palace had already reached the entourage of European and American leaders during his lifetime, bore various "strong names" during his lifetime, such as kinikinikini "lion of lions" or kinikini ahossu "king of lions". The image of the lion can therefore be found on a multitude of works of art produced during his reign, of a splendor rare for an African king at the time, such as numerous pieces of jewelry, or topkon parasols, royal hangings and hammocks and other regalia, but also asen and the numerous royal recades called kinikinikpo "lion's staff". It's difficult to say with any certainty what type of object originally adorned this silver lion sculpture in a beautiful antique style, confirmed by rare details such as the inserts for the ears, eyes, fangs and tongue, all of which contribute to the "accentuation of features characterizing power and aggressiveness". It's possible that this lion sculpture was used to decorate a royal gift or, more simply, a piece of furniture commissioned by the king, such as a box or lighter. In fact, in the photographic archives of the Musée de l'Homme, which at one time housed some of Abomey's royal treasures, there is a photo of a copy of a silver lighter that belonged to Glèlè, whose lions are reminiscent of our sculpture. Fon, former kingdom of Abomey, Benin, 19th century. Silver, old oxidation and very fine old patina. H. 11 cm and L. 16 cm See for an entire chapter on Glèlè by Suzanne Preston Blier p. 89 to 143 in: Magies, Musée Dapper, Ed. Dapper 1996, and p. 132 for a silver box decorated with animals. For a photo of a copy of a silver lighter that once belonged to King Glèlè, see: musée du Quai Branly Jacques Chirac online archives, management no. PP0113422. Provenance : Jean Roudillon Collection