Benin Bronzes artworks, Kingdom of Benin Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/art/Benin-Bronzes Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/art/Benin-Bronzes Written by Alicja Zelazko Alicja Zelazko is Associate Editor, Arts and Humanities, covering topics in the visual arts, architecture, music, and performance. Before joining Encyclopædia Britannica in 2017, she worked at the Art... Alicja Zelazko Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 6, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Benin Bronzes, loose term used to describe thousands of artworks looted in 1897 by the British army during its violent invasion of Benin City, the capital of the historic kingdom of Benin (located in what is now Nigeria). The works were largely made between the 15th and the 19th century by guilds of the royal court of the oba, or king, and included sculpted altar heads, palace plaques, and ceremonial regalia. Contrary to their name, the artworks were made primarily from brass, wood, ivory, leather, and bone. Many of the pieces were subsequently acquired by museums across Europe and the ...(100 of 2664 words)

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