Benin art of ancient Nigeria

THE early Benin art was referred to as “Court Art” hence ”Court Art of Benin” This is because the Oba or King of Benin had a monopoly of the art works, though technically speaking, they are all brass.

However, the bronze works have been erroneously believed to have been introduced in Benin by the Portuguese. This might, perhaps stem from the fact that the Portuguese were the first white people to come to Benin as missionaries when they embarked on the exploration of West African coast in the 15th century under the direction of Prince Henry the Navigator.

It could be recollected that the first missionary outposts in West Africa when the European commerce began in the 15th century were Mina (Modern Ghana), Benin, Warri and Congo, and indeed up to 1530, the Portuguese were the only European nation that dominated the whole of West Africa.

Thus, because of the activities and early contact of the Portuguese with the people of Benin, some of the Benin bronze works bear representations of the Portuguese sailors who were the only European nation that dominated the whole of West Africa.

The Benin bronze works also bear representations of the Portuguese sailors because they were patronizing the Benin Art. The Portuguese sailors introduced commercial elements which were exclusive royal art medium.

None – the – less, the early Benin bronze heads were similar to Ife works until Benin had its own artistic style. It could therefore be logically deduced that the Benin people learnt the art of bronze casting from Ife.

The early Benin art was referred to as “Court Art” hence ”Court Art of Benin” This is because the Oba or King of Benin had a monopoly of the art works, though technically speaking, they are all brass.

The bronze was considered to be a precious metal which only the Oba could possess, though he could give his subjects gifts of bronze. It is the Oba who maintained some men, specialized in bronze, wood and ivory works as bronze smiths, wood and ivory carvers.

Indeed, the bronze smiths only produced their works for the Oba and they were not authorized to sell them to the public. The bronze smiths too were forbidden to work for anyone outside the courtyard and disobedience attracted punishmentby death.

Bronze smiths and carvers

The special bronze – smiths and carvers of the king belonged to a society of royal carvers called “Igbesanmwan”. Their works depict the activities in the palace and also reveal the figure of the King and his subjects.

According to oral tradition, the Kings played a great role in Benin Art works. For example, in the early dynasty of kings called Ogisos, who probably ruled before 14th century, sculptures such as terra – cotta heads, ceremonial stools and swords were prevalent.

But in the new dynasty of Oranmiyan, he introduced horses to Benin which is presented in the Benin Art as equestrian warrior. Generally, the equestrian figures were known to indicate power in West African artistic traditions. Figures of equestrian warriors were placed on ancestral altars.

Flowing from the foregoing therefore, it could be stated that the Kings were the sole grand patrons of the craftsmen. Moreso, certain materials like the ivory and bronze were strictly reserved for the use of Oba.

However, it was Oba Eweka II who in 1914 lifted the restrictions on the sale of bronze art works leading to the sale to members of the public. Today, two streets in the Benin City where we have show-rooms for bronze art works are Igun and Agbado streets.

Though Benin bronze casters have a historical link with those of the Ife but Benin heads are said to be much less naturalistic than those of Ife heads. This is because the Benin craftsmen have more interest in the beaded decoration than in the face itself.

Thus, in production of their works, the Benin craftsmen concentrated much on Oba, his regalia, his warriors, his slavesand the ceremonials of Oba’s palace, which is not the case with Ife art.

Benin has a collection of rich cultural heritage and more is known about Benin art than other cultures of ancient Nigeria. This is because, in addition to the art, there are corroborating African oral historians and Europeans travel documents. Among the collection of rich cultural objects of Benin are the following:
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