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
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
enabore either side of him
how are the enabore depicted
-crocodile masks suspended from waist
-like oba wear beaded shirts and skirts
-subsidary to oba, smaller in scale.
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 power0
CORAL BEAD NECKLACE
-references trade with meditterainians for coral
PORTUGESE HOLDING MANILLA
small scale represents benins dominance
EUROPEANS
small scle, inferior the benin
HELMETS
phallic protrusion (masculinity-identifies with strength)
what do the hemets symbolise
HELMETS
phallic protrusion (masculinity-identifies with strength)
