Leopard Society Emblem (nkpa)

Culture: Ejagham artist
Date: early– to mid-20th century
Material: Wood, fiber, hide, metal, cloth, animal skulls
associated with: Cross River state, Nigeria, Africa
Classification: Metalwork, wood
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Current Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 44 1/2 x 45 3/4 x 9 in. (113 x 116.2 x 22.9 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Thomas Alexander and Laura Rogers
Rights: Public Domain
Object Number: 187:2003

NOTES

A membrane drum, symbolizing the legislative authority of the Leopard Society, or "Ngbe," occupies the center of this arrangement, or emblem. The Leopard Society is a major men’s society among the Ejagham and Banyang peoples of the Cross Rivers area of Nigeria and Cameroon. Its primary role is to regulate social behavior. This emblem also contains the skulls and horns of animals that were consumed at the feast held when the society was founded. Other items attached include ceremonial brooms to sweep away forces that may harm the society’s members, loops of cordage that bar entry to the sacred house, and a baton-like staff, a symbol of power and authority. Emblems may adorn the walls of the houses where the "Ngbe" meets.

Provenance

- 1992
Niang Oumar Antiquaire, Douala, Cameroon [1]

1992 -
Davis Gallery (Charles Davis), New Orleans, LA, USA, acquired from Niang Oumar Antiquaire [2]

by 2000 - 2003
Thomas Alexander and Laura Rogers, St. Louis, MO [3]

2003 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Thomas Alexander and Laura Rogers [4]

Notes:
[1] A Lufthansa air waybill dated April 3, 1992 identifies this object was shipped from Niang Oumar of Douala, Cameroon to the Davis Gallery of Ethnographic Art. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife dated April 20, 1992 further identifies this object was consigned from "Niang Oumar Antiquaire" of Douala, Cameroon to Davis Gallery, Inc. [SLAM document files].

[2] See Note [1].

[3] A loan agreement form dated January 27, 2000 identifies Thomas Alexander and Laura Rogers as the owners of this object [SLAM document files].

[4] A Deed of Gift dated December 19, 2003 documents the gift of this object to the Museum [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Collections Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, March 2, 2004.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.