








| Institution field | Value |
|---|---|
Registration number object id | Af1898,0115.141 |
Additional IDs object id | 166 (Foreign Office number) |
PRN object id | EAF26563 |
Object Type designation | plaque |
Description description | Relief plaque, lost-wax cast in brass. Wide plaque, rectangular in form with side flanges. Background surface decorated with river leaf patterns and stippling. Six rosettes in relief in top right and left corners, midway at right and left, bottom right and left corners. Three nail holes at top right, left and centre; five holes along right side; three holes at bottom, right corner and side and left corner. Depicts single standing figure, facing front, holding cow- or antelope-headed container in both hands. Figure has plaits terminating in beads at both sides of face. Wears beaded cap with feather at left side, deep beaded collar, leopard's tooth necklace, sash across chest, beaded bracelets and anklets, leopard's face hip ornament at left side, and patterned wrap-around skirt with stylised image of European (Portuguese) head. |
Ethnic name (made by) ethnic attribution | Edo |
Date date made | 16thC-17thC |
Production place production place | Made in: Benin City |
Findspot place collected | Found/Acquired: Benin City |
Materials material | brass |
Technique production technique | lost-wax cast |
Dimensions dimensions | Height: 53.00 cm~Width: 39.00 cm~Depth: 12.00 cm |
Curator’s comments provenance | The relief brass plaques that used to decorate the Oba's (king's) palace are among the most well-known of all the royal arts of Benin. Although frequently described as 'Benin Bronzes' most plaques are made of leaded brass in various compositions. It is widely accepted that they date to the 16th-17th centuries. In the years prior to the British Expedition royal influence in Benin was increasingly under threat from rival powers, both internal and external, with a focus on economic power and control of the important trading monopolies. However, the court and palace remained the political and spiritual centre of the Benin Kingdom. Earlier accounts written by Europeans visiting the city describe its size and scale. The palace complex was set up around atrium courtyards; some had galleries with wooden pillars supporting the roof. Brass plaques, probably made in matching pairs, were fixed to these pillars. The Benin brass plaques represent a distinct and unique corpus of work, unparalleled elsewhere on the continent. They are cast using the cire perdue (lost wax) technique and show significant variation in the depth of the relief. Some of the plaques portray historical events or commemorate successful wars, while others are a vivid depiction of Benin court life and ritual. Several groups of plaques show clear stylistic similarities. William B. Fagg suggested that these plaques represent the work of master brass casters. Fagg, William, 1973, 'Nigerian Images', London: Lund Humphries Gunsch, Kathryn, 2018, 'Benin plaques: a 16th century imperial monument', London: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group ; Figure holds container in the form of a cow's or antelope's head used by chiefs in Benin Kingdom to offer kola nuts. |
Bibliographic references bibliography | Gunsch 2018: |
Exhibition history exhibition history | Exhibited: 1970-1973, London, Museum of Mankind, Divine Kingship in Africa 1991 Feb-Apr, Norwich, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Man and Metal in Ancient Nigeria |
Condition condition | Fair; slight chip from top right corner. Small chips from bottom right edge. Hole at left side of figure's body. Further holes at right side of figre below rosette and tiny holes on opposite side of figure. Narrow band of discolouration along right edge of plaque. |
Subjects iconography | palace/mansion ~mammal |
Associated events event | Associated Event: British Expedition to Benin City - Feb 1897 |
Acquisition name (acquisition) provenance | Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs |
Acquisition date accession date | 1898 |
Acquisition notes (excavation) provenance | This plaque was looted during the British Expedition to Benin City in 1897. |
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