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6 wrz 2024 · Benin Bronzes is a loose term used to describe thousands of artworks looted in 1897 by the British army during its violent invasion of Benin City, the capital of the historic kingdom of Benin (located in what is now Nigeria).
The Benin Bronzes are a group of several thousand [ a ] metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now Edo State, Nigeria. The metal plaques were produced by the Guild of Benin Bronze Casters, now located in Igun Street, also known as Igun-Eronmwon Quarters.
The British believed that they were cleansing the city and breaking the power associated with “fetishes” or “juju” through these acts of demolition and vandalization. During their attack, the British also looted the wide range of objects referred to as the Benin “Bronzes.”.
With the city falling and the king going into hiding in the villages, the rampaging British soldiers went on a campaign of looting, rape and cultural vandalism, gathering thousands of prized artworks in bronze, brass, ivory, and wood before setting the great city on fire. This was the real massacre!
The 'Benin Bronzes' (made of brass and bronze) are a group of sculptures which include elaborately decorated cast relief plaques, commemorative heads, animal and human figures, items of royal regalia, and personal ornaments.
2 kwi 2021 · The Benin Bronzes are a group of thousands of objects that were taken from the kingdom of Benin, in what is now Nigeria, in 1897. (Their exact number is unknown, though it is believed to exceed...
Benin Plaques, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Edo peoples, Benin kingdom, Nigeria c. 1530-1570 (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston). Speakers: Dr. Kathryn Wysocki Gunsch, Teel Curator of African and Oceanic Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and Dr. Beth Harris.
