benin palace wall plaque
ethnic group: edo, benin kingdom
country of origin: old benin kingdom, nigeria
material: metal (bronze)
aproximate age: 16th-17th century
dimentions:
overall condition: excellent
The Palace of Benin that occupies about half of Benin City, has wooden columns for roof supports. These wooden columns were decorated with the rectangular bronze plaques, many of which depicted life at court in the Benin palace. The holes through these plaques show where they were nailed to the columns. It is usual for the two edges of the plaque to be folded around the rectangular timber roof supports. These plaques are dated from the early 16th century into through the 17th century. Many of the plaques show European traders in the costume of that period, and according to oral tradition, it is after the Portuguese assisted the people of Benin on an expedition against an enemy early in the 16th century, that it was suggested that their success be commemorated in the same way Europeans commemorate such events. The rectangular form of the plaques may be based on the pages in illustrated books of the Europeans, as this form is not usually found in traditional African sculpture.
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