Benin Art

• Found in western Nigeria.
• Objects consist of busts and plaques depicting important historical events.
• Art objects are predominantely made from bronze but also include ivories.
• Busts are commemorative heads for members of the royal family.
• Objects divided into three periods: early, middle, and late.

Early/Warrior King Period: 600-400 B.P (1400-1600 A.D)

Bust of King	Bust of Queen Mother

Characteristics:

• Thin castings.
• Busts depict beaded collars snugly around necks.
• Delicately rendered facial features.  See awareness of bone and flesh.
• Careful treatment of hair.
• Queen mother busts with distinctive coral headdress (curving cone) are common.
• MIDDLE/PLAQUE/TURMOIL PERIOD: 400-300 B.P
• (1600-1700 AD).

Portuguese soldier

Retainers of the Oba (ruler).

Bust of king

Ivory Tusk

Characteristics:

• Casting is thick and not carefully done.
• Faces become inflated, the headress has winged extensions, and flanges appear on the bottom of the busts.
• Beaded collars rise above the mouth.
• Eyes are more un-realistic.
• Destruction of the empire due to British colonization.
• Ivory objects are common.
Quiz?!?
Early Period vs. Late Period 
 
• Can you distinguish between the early and late periods of Benin art?
• What are some of the stylistic differences between these two objects?

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This website was last modified September 5th, 2009. It was created and modified by Cynthia Becker, Bolaji Campbell and Janine Sytsma with Professor Henry Drewal.
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