Benin Bronzes
Metal plaques and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. Produced from the fifteenth or sixteenth century by artists of the Edo people, they are considered the best examples of Benin art. The plaques, called Igun or Igue in the Edo language (also referred to as Edo plaques), depict scenes or themes from the kingdom's history, while other sculptures include portrait heads, jewellery, and smaller pieces. Most were taken by British forces during the Benin Expedition of 1897.
- period
- 16th–19th centuries
Lore & Background
The Benin Bronzes were created by the Guild of Benin Bronze Casters, now located in Igun Street (Igun-Eronmwon Quarters). Most surviving pieces, especially the plaques, date to the 16th–17th centuries, with production continuing into the 18th and 19th centuries. Two notable periods of high craftsmanship occurred during the reigns of Esigie (reigned approximately 1504–1547) and Eresoyen (1735–1750). The metal pieces were made using lost-wax casting, a technique with a long history in Africa. The Oba monopolized difficult-to-obtain materials such as gold, elephant tusks, and bronze, and when a king died, his successor would order a bronze head of his predecessor; approximately 170 such heads exist, the oldest from the fifteenth century.
Reader's Guide
The Benin Bronzes hold significance as a record of the history, court life, and imperial power of the Kingdom of Benin. They were used to decorate the royal palace and glorify the Oba and the queen mother. The collection was taken by British forces during the Benin Expedition of 1897, an event positioned by British sources as retaliation for a massacre of envoys, though some scholars argue it was part of premeditated attacks to further imperialistic interests. Late 19th-century scholars erroneously concluded that Benin metallurgy came from Portuguese traders, but the tradition is thought to have derived from or been influenced by the older Kingdom of Ife. The pieces are mostly made of brass, with manillas from the Rhineland region of Germany used as a metal source. The bronzes remain a subject of debate regarding restitution and cultural heritage.
Did You Know?
- The plaques are called Igun or Igue in the Edo language.
- Most of the objects were taken by British forces during the Benin Expedition of 1897.
- The metal pieces were made using lost-wax casting.
- The brass used in the sculptures came from European trade, including the Netherlands and England.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Benin Bronzes?
They are thousands of decorative metal plaques and sculptural pieces that once adorned the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, located in what is now Edo State, Nigeria.
Who created the Benin Bronzes and when?
Edo people artists produced them beginning in the fourteenth century, using lost-wax casting to make portrait heads, court jewelry, and narrative plaques called Ama in the Edo language.
What material are the Benin Bronzes actually made of?
Despite the common name, most pieces are cast in brass rather than true bronze, though some examples also incorporate wood, ceramic, or ivory.
How did the Benin Bronzes end up in Western museums?
British military forces seized the vast majority of the collection during the 1897 Benin Expedition, after which the pieces were dispersed to institutions across Europe and the United States.
Where can I see Benin Bronzes today?
The largest public holding is in the British Museum, but significant collections are also displayed in other European and American museums around the world.
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