African Arts Gallery

Before the destruction of the palace of the Kingdom of Benin in 1897, the divine character of the kings, the Oba, was illustrated by multiple works celebrating their power. In African tribal art, warlike scenes glorifying them were reproduced on narrative plaques, in bronze, and affixed to the walls. Sumptuous bronze altars, commemorative figures of deceased chiefs, majestic felines, heavy bracelets, anklets and recades were produced in quantity in numerous foundry workshops using the lost wax casting technique. During the 16th century, Oba Esigie commissioned the first copper alloy plaques with relief ornamentation to decorate the palace.
This Benin type lost wax bronze depicts the king and his guard. Brown patina, partial verdigris oxidation.