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What does the art of Benin tell us?

Part of HistoryKingdom of BeninYear 3Year 4

What was art in Benin like?

A cartoon of a craftworker at work in Benin.
Cartoon of Benin brass bracelets

  • The people of Benin made many different kinds of art. Village craft workers made simple pots, weapons and tools.

  • They carved masks for ceremonies and they moulded sculptures of gods out of mud.

Cartoon of a crocodile.

  • Guilds were groups of craft workers like wood carvers, ivory carvers, leather workers, weavers and blacksmiths.

  • Brass casters were only allowed to work for the Oba (king).

Cartoon of a crocodile.
Two leopards made of ivory.
These leopards were made in the 1800s. They are probably copies of an earlier pair that stood either side of the Oba's throne. Each one is made from five separate elephant鈥檚 tusks. The spots are copper discs and the eyes are made from mirrors.

  • Benin art features people, animals and gods.

  • Crocodiles and leopards, appear many times in the art of Benin.

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What materials did craft workers use?

A brass head of Queen Idia
A statue made from brass, showing Queen Idia wearing a coral headdress

Craftworkers used:

  • Clay
  • Wood
  • Leather

The most precious materials were:

  • Brass
  • Coral
  • Ivory
A brass head of Queen Idia
A statue made from brass, showing Queen Idia wearing a coral headdress
This brass plaque shows the Oba鈥檚 butchers carrying a cow to be sacrificed to the gods. The Oba sacrificed huge numbers of cattle to the gods. This plaque is now in the British Museum in London.
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Watch: Benin bronze

Find out how bronze statues were made

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How were Europeans shown in art?

A brass figurine showing a soldier with a gun
This 16th century brass statue shows a soldier. Europeans in Benin art were often shown holding a gun.

  • The craft workers of Benin often showed Europeans in their art.

  • Sometimes they have a beard and sometimes they wear armour and hold a gun.

  • The Obas had a good relationship with merchants from Europe. Around the 1800s the Europeans decided they wanted to take their land.

  • In the late 1800s, European countries competed with each other for African land.
  • They took control of the African kingdoms and built their own empires.
A carved ivory salt container showing merchants
Ivory carvers usually worked for the Oba, but they made some items for Europeans as well. This container for holding salt was made in the 1500s. Four Portuguese merchants support the salt bowl, and there is a sailing ship on its lid.
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Benin bronzes today

A brass mask that represents Ora
This brass mask represents Ora. He was a god who travelled with Prince Oranmiyan when he arrived to found the kingdom of Benin. The mask was worn by a dancer in the Ododua ceremony to celebrate the founding of Benin.
  • Many bronzes were taken in 1897 when the city was looted (forcefully taken), invaded by the British and made part of the British Empire.
  • These have been shown in museums around the world like the British Museum.
  • Some people are asking for the bronzes to be returned.
  • Some museums are now returning them to the country they came from.
A miniature altar
Important chiefs and warriors had their own 'altars of the hand'. These miniature altars were often carved from wood, but the Oba's altars were made from brass. On top of this one is a figure of the Oba with his attendants.
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Activities

Activity 1: Animals in art

Click below to find out about common animals in Benin art.

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Activity 2: Quiz 鈥 Art of Benin

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Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
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