benin plaque- 16th to 17th century Flashcards
date
16th-17th century
who was the benin empire founded by
founded by the edo people, origionally known as edo kingdom
what did the city of benin represent
power, military power, trade, strong foreign influence
who was benins main trade partner
Portugal
trade relationship between benin and Portugal
started trading in 1470s
portugese wanted paper, ivory and gold
benin wanted brass
where were the plaques origionally positioned
in the oba’s palace: to show military, social, political and economic power to other nations
how many brass benin plaques were there
over 3000, many celebrate oba
why did benin want brass from Portugal
wanted brass mandailla’s, often melted and repurposed then to display status etc
formal analysis and composition
stylised:proportions of figures not given much attention
focal point:Oba
figures range in scale based on importance (oba largest and central highlighting his status and power, especially in comparison to the small scale of the europeans)
materials and techniques
brass casting from melted manillas
reliefs cast in lost wax technique
craftsmen were known as the servants of oba, so he declared they would never go hungry- value of art in benin
how can we understand the value of art in benin
craftsmen were known as the servants of oba, so he declared they would never go hungry- value of art in benin
how is oba depicted
focal point: central and largest in scale
*Their main subject is the glorification of the ruler of Benin, the Oba, and of his prowess as hunter and soldier
brass armbands/metal wristlets+ international power and signifies trade
holds ceramonial axe (civic pride and power)
glorified: depicted as a hunter and soldier
wearing a shirt with beads and a skirt
He wears a straight skirt with deep interlace patterned border
wears a distinctive cylindrical crown with a tall protrusion which is surmounted by a finial (oro). crown has three large ornamental cylindrical beads down front and one on each side. Strings of coral beads hang at each side of his face.
enabore either side of him
seated on a cylindrical stool and flanked by two kneeling attendants.
how are the enabore depicted
-crocodile masks suspended from waist (These small crocodile heads were the emblem of those licensed to trade with Europeans.)
-like oba wear beaded shirts and skirts
-:long-sleeved beaded shirts (except that their garments and helmets have horizontal bands), straight patterned skirts,
- beaded anklets and metal wristlets
-Both wear deep multi-strand collars but with fewer neck rings
-cylindrical helmets with protrusions and finials
-subsidary to oba, smaller in scale.
-enabore flanking oba- a key image of the hierarchical nature of royal power and authority in Benin art. They refer to the king’s need for the support of his people to enable him to perform his duties.
symbols and motifs
BRASS ARMBANDS
status in trade, international and economic power
USE OF BRASS AS THE MEDIUM
-portrays trade with portugal
CROCODILE MASKS
-held by those liscenced to trade with europeans (status and power)
CORAL BEAD NECKLACE
-references trade with meditterainians for coral
PORTUGESE HOLDING MANILLA
small scale represents benins dominance
EUROPEANS
small scale, inferior the benin
HELMETS
phallic protrusion (masculinity-identifies with strength)
what do the hemets symbolise
HELMETS
phallic protrusion (masculinity-identifies with strength)
what do the brass armbands symbolise
BRASS ARMBANDS
status in trade, international and economic power
significance of the use of brass as a medium
USE OF BRASS AS THE MEDIUM
-portrays trade with portugal
symbolism of crocodile masks
CROCODILE MASKS
-held by those liscenced to trade with europeans (status and power0
symbolism of coral bead necklaces
CORAL BEAD NECKLACE
-references trade with meditterainians for coral
symbolism of the portugese holding manilla
PORTUGESE HOLDING MANILLA
small scale represents benins dominance
EUROPEANS
small scle, inferior the benin
title
Benin Plaque: The Oba with Europeans
where is it currently
British Museum.
what was the capital of benin known as and what happened there
*The capital city (or royal administrative centre) of the kingdom was called “Ubinu”
by the 15th centuries Portuguese traders called Edo ‘Benin City’ due to trade relations with Portugal
when did trade relations with portugal start
1485
what is benin called now
benin was modern day Nigeria
what was the role of the oba in the edo kingdom AND who were notable oba’s
*The Oba was both the spiritual and secular head of the Kingdom.
considered a deity and therefore a ‘divine’ king. They were seen as the representative of the ancestors, and some kings would not let themselves be seen eating so as to maintain the myth that they could live without food.
He retained control over the major export resources (ivory, slaves, gum and palm kernels) and over trade between the kingdom and Europeans
The Oba was also the head of government, collecting taxes, and was the owner of all land in the country.
NOTABLE OBA’S
*Rulers like Oba Esigie (c.1504-1550) expanded the kingdom, establishing it as an important military, political, and economic power in Western Africa.
How did benin prosper in the 16th /17th C
It expanded and achieved prosperity through military conquests and trade with Portugal, Britain and the Netherlands (partly due to trading in slaves).
- a period known as the Golden Age of the Benin Kingdom.
what were the ‘bronzes’ often made from
*Although frequently described as ‘Benin Bronzes’ most plaques are made of leaded brass.
what do bronzes of benin generally depict
*The bronzes depict a variety of scenes: some of the plaques portray historical events, commemorate successful wars, vividly depict Benin court life and ritual pageantry, instructive protocol, animals, fish.
*Many celebrate battles won by the Oba, the king, depicted as hunter and soldier.
The plaques show aspects of Benin court life in the sixteenth century, shortly after Europe’s first contact with West Africa.
Their presence on the decorations of the king’s palace shows how the Portuguese were regarded as symbols of the king’s wealth and power, to which their trade contributed so much. They were thus emblematic of the ruler’s achievements as well as the Kingdom’s wealth.
how are the europeans depicted
-On either side of the head of the king is a bust in relief of a long-haired Europeans
-Characterised by straight hair and helmets with three large bosses topped by a feather
-One has a manilla in the right hand, the other holds a globular object, possibly a flask or bottle, to his mouth.
-depicted in much smaller scale to the edos , shows their inferiority to their power. european scale looks feeble and ridiculous
-This becomes a document of trade: the Oba is with the officials who manage and control the European trade. One of the Europeans is indeed holding a manilla, and this is the key to the whole scene. The manilla makes it clear that the brass brought from Europe is merely the raw material from which the Benin craftsmen would create great works of art like this relief.
composition overall
*The figures around the King range in scale, not because of their actual height or distance from the Oba, but rather due to their level of importance within the court. This convention of sizing human figures based on status is known as “hierarchical scale” and is symbolic rather than realistic.
*The three Africans are in the foreground of this scene.
-The Oba gazes out towards the viewer, whereas the attendants are in ¾ view and the Europeans are shown in profile.
*Symmetrical, pyramidal composition
simplification of features
-focus on symbolism and portrayal of power as opposed to realism
*The three Africans are in the foreground of this scene.
relief
*Relatively high relief
background
*Background surface is decorated with stylised quatrefoil (four-leaf) patterns and stippling. Reference to the natural environment which surrounded Benin.
what could europe provide in terms of trade that oba wanted
court: coral from the Mediterranean, cowry shells from the Indian ocean to serve as money, cloth from the far east, copper and brass needed for metal casting
The Europeans brought brass to Africa in quantities far greater than before – enabling the making of the plaques on such a scale. The trade of manillas was very popular and the quantities of the bracelets was astounding.
The Portuguese found a ready market for brass ingots, often made in the form of bracelets called “manillas.” These were made in the Low Countries, traded throughout West Africa as a kind of currency, and melted down by the brass workers of Benin. When the Portuguese arrived in Benin, Nigeria, in the fifteenth century, they quickly started trading brass and copper for pepper, cloth, ivory and slaves.
what did benin give the europeans
brought African gold and ivory directly to Europe.
who were the craftsmen that produced these plaques
‘servants of the Oba’
oba decreed that ‘smiths and woodworkers will never go hungry’.
difference between bronze and brass
The reliefs are cast in the lost-wax (cire perdue) technique. The difference between bronze and brass, is that bronze is an alloy of copper & mainly tin, whilst brass is an alloy of copper & zinc.
where would the origional location have been
They are thought to have been made in matching pairs and fixed to pillars in the Oba’s palace in Benin City.
As decorations for the halls of the king’s palace, the plaques were designed to proclaim and glorify the prestige of the king, his status and achievements, so they give an informative but very one-sided view of the kingdom of Benin.
later on tensions between benin and the british
-When the British tried to expand their own trade in the 19th century, the Benin people killed their envoys.
-The British, in retaliation, sent the Punitive Expedition of 1897 which raided Benin city, exiled the Oba, seized the Oba’s palace and burned down the city around it, killing many.
-The British protectorate of Nigeria was established.
- The British armed forces also looted the royal court’s vast stores of art, taking away large quantities of sculpture and regalia, including works in wood, ivory and especially brass
. The plaques were most sought after and were bought by museums across Europe and America—the plaques can be seen at the British Museum, in Chicago, Vienna, Paris and a large collection can be viewed in Berlin.
how do we know that this plaque was one looted in the seige
We know that this plaque was one of the artworks looted in the siege because Norman Burrows, a known trafficker in stolen Benin objects, owned it briefly during this time.
what did the british museum curator say about them
It needs scarcely be said that at the first sight of these remarkable works of art astounded at such an unexpected find, we were puzzled at such a highly developed an art among a race so entirely barbarous.
how were the bronzes recieved upon arrival in europe
The arrival and the reception of the bronze plaques caused a sensation in Europe, as they had not previously been allowed to leave Benin.
It needs scarcely be said that at the first sight of these remarkable works of art astounded at such an unexpected find, we were puzzled at such a highly developed an art among a race so entirely barbarous.
many said they must of had european influence but it was proved they did not.
what is the remaining controversy about the housing of the plaques
This act of looting perpetrated by the British was later condemned as a criminal and violent act of British imperialism and colonialism. As such, there are many who believe that this plaque should be returned to the people of Benin, and Nigeria bought 50 of them between 50s and 70s.
