BENIN ART, NIGERIA

BENIN Leopards 2

BENIN Objects

BENIN Heads

BENIN Leopard Heads

BENIN Currency

BENIN Figures

BENIN Leopards

BENIN Leopards

BENIN Plaques

BENIN Horsemen

BENIN Plaques 2

Bronze pieces from the Benin kingdom are known the world over. Almost all their art was created to honor the king , or Oba, who has reigned, with his ancestors, from the 15th century. Styles have changed over the years. Although similar to many older works, these are all 20th C. pieces. Each is still sculpted by hand, then cast in bronze by the lost wax process. Figures that do not depict the king show members of his court. Bronze Leopards like these, a royal icon, were often used as royal water vessels. Water was poured from the mouth over the Oba's hands in cleansing rituals. They were kept on royal altars. Old plaques were mounted on the walls of the Oba's Palace and record the history of the Benin kingdom. Most depict the king or warrior chiefs. Cast pieces are copper alloys, bronze (copper and tin) or brass (copper and zinc). The alloys are not always pure and pieces historically labelled "bronzes", often are not.

Old Benin bronzes are very rare. Despite their appearance, these are all 20th C. pieces and were probably made to be sold.