A bronze relief plaque crafted in brass using the lost-wax casting technique, featuring a wide rectangular form with sides, the background surface is adorned with intricate leaf patterns, the central depiction on the plaque shows figures standing and facing front, one taller one and seven smaller ones, the central figure is adorned with distinctive regal attire, including a cylindrical crown, a collar, crossed beaded bands on his chest, as well as armlets and beaded anklets, in adition to a patterned skirt. The other figures are similarly dressed. A skillful work of the 20th century.

"Following the British occupation of Benin City (Edo) in 1897 objects made of brass, ivory and wood were looted by British forces from the royal palace, its storerooms and compounds. Some of these objects were sold or exchanged on the coast. However, many were brought to the UK where they were sold through private auction, donated to museums, or retained by soldiers of the expedition. The British Museum successfully petitioned the government to secure some of the relief plaques and over 300 were sent to the UK by the Consul-General [Sir] Ralph Moor and placed at the Foreign Office. During the summer of 1897 the Crown Agents for the Colonies, on behalf of the Foreign Office, agreed a temporary loan of 304 plaques to the British Museum. In September these were placed on public display in the Assyrian basement where they attracted considerable public attention. The Museum initially received 203 of these plaques as a gift from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. In the summer of 1898 a further eleven plaques were sent to the British Museum from the Foreign Office and three of these were selected by the Museum and were subsequently presented as a gift. Of the remaining plaques the Foreign Office retained eight and the rest were offered for sale to major museums, collectors and private dealers in Europe and the UK. Today over nine hundred plaques are known to exist in museums and private collections around the world. See Collection File: Af1898,0115.1-203 (previously Eth.Doc.185)."

Source: Digital Benin

sold

Height: 50,5 cm
Width: 40,5 cm
Weight: 11 kg