benin plaque- 16th to 17th century Flashcards

Question

what is benin called now

Answer 1

benin was modern day Nigeria

Answer 2

*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.

Answer 3

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.

Answer 4

*Although frequently described as 'Benin Bronzes' most plaques are made of leaded brass.

Answer 5

*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.

Answer 6

-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.

Answer 7

*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

Answer 8

-focus on symbolism and portrayal of power as opposed to realism *The three Africans are in the foreground of this scene.

Answer 9

*Relatively high relief

Answer 10

*Background surface is decorated with stylised quatrefoil (four-leaf) patterns and stippling. Reference to the natural environment which surrounded Benin.

Answer 11

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.

Answer 12

brought African gold and ivory directly to Europe.

Answer 13

‘servants of the Oba’ oba decreed that ‘smiths and woodworkers will never go hungry’.

Answer 14

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.

Answer 15

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.

Answer 16

-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.

Answer 17

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.

Answer 18

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.

Answer 19

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.

Answer 20

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.