Late 19th century AD or earlier. A bronze vessel with waisted profile, rounded underside, three legs each with human foot and ankle-cuff, two lateral drop handles, hinged lid; the body with circumferential bands of reserved guilloche, knotwork, meander and other ornament on pointillé field, raised knot motifs; two addorsed figures of standing apes with fur detailing holding a fruit to the mouth; domed lid with similar ornament surmounted by a crouching leopard with legs extended and fangs bared. 10.4 kg, 58cm (23"). Property of a Surrey professional since before 1960, from his family collection by descent; received as a royal gift by his grandfather during one of his official trips to Benin in the late 19th century; this lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by AIAD certificate number no.10237-167748.