WHAT ARE THE BENIN BRONZES?
The Benin Bronzes are a collection of more than 3,000 decorative pieces from the Kingdom of Benin (in modern-day Nigeria), which existed from the 1100s until 1897 and should not be confused with the current West African country of Benin. They adorned the palace of the oba, or king, and - as the finest examples of Benin art in existence - are important historical records of the kingdom and its people, the Edo.
More than that, however, the Bronzes are a highly controversial source of ongoing international debate. In 1897, they were looted by the British and are now spread across 160-plus museums or private collections around the world, mostly in Europe and the United States. There may be others that have gone unidentified, too, gathering dust in attics or archives. Only nine Nigerian institutions contain any of the Bronzes. As a significant part of their heritage, the people of Nigeria have made, and continue to make, passionate calls for the repatriation of the treasures.
WHEN WERE THE BENIN BRONZES MADE?
The majority of the pieces date back to two 'golden ages' of Benin art: the reign of Oba Esigie in the first half of the 1500s and the reign of Oba Eresoyen, who ruled from 1735 to 1750. There are examples, though, from as early as the 12th century and as late as the 19th, right up until the arrival of the British. They were crafted by artists under royal decree, who formed special guilds at the court of the oba in Benin City, the capital of the kingdom. The more powerful the ruler, the more artists there were and the higher the quality of the pieces being made.
WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?
Bu hikaye History Revealed dergisinin September 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye History Revealed dergisinin September 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'Dickens's evocation of the fears, excitement and confusion of childhood is peerless'
DR LEE JACKSON ON WHY CHARLES DICKENS REMAINS RELEVANT TODAY
THE AUTHOR GOES ABROAD
Dickens expanded his horizons and boosted his fan-base by venturing overseas - but global fame came with a cost
REVIVING THE FESTIVE SPIRIT
A Christmas Carol wasn't just a bestseller - it changed the way that Britons chose to mark the festive season
GIVING THE POOR A VOICE
From Hard Times to Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens used his pen to help illuminate the lives of the less fortunate
A JOURNEY THROUGH DICKENS'S LONDON
The works of Charles Dickens are synonymous with visions of Victorian London. We talk to Dr Lee Jackson about the author's love of the capital, and the locations that most inspired him
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
Dr Lee Jackson chronicles Charles Dickens's journey from down-at-luck teenager to titan of Victorian literature
GIFTS, TREES & FEASTING
We take a journey through the photo archives to reveal how Christmas and its many traditions have been celebrated over the years - and around the world
WHAT GREAT PAINTINGS SAY
We explore the story behind an allegorical painting that celebrates the triumph of love over hate, peace over war
HELLISH NELL
Malcolm Gaskill delves into the life of Helen Duncan - the fraudulent Scottish medium whose ectoplasm-filled seances saw her ending up on the wrong side of the law
7 THINGS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE WHITE HOUSE
Presidential historian Dr Lindsay M Chervinsky reveals some of the most surprising facts about the world-famous US residence