How are Benin Bronzes made?

How are Benin Bronzes made?

While the collection is known as the Benin Bronzes, like most West African “bronzes” the pieces are mostly made of brass of variable composition. The metal pieces were made using lost-wax casting and are considered among the best sculptures made using this technique.

What technique is used to make bronze sculptures?

Bronze statues come to life differently than marble statues. Instead of carving a block or marble, the bronze artist uses the lost-wax technique to make a series of molds, and then pours melted bronze into the final mold to create the sculpture. This method has been around since 4500 BCE.

What are the characteristics of Benin art?

Characteristics of Benin Art

• Beaded Neck.
• Mark on forehead.
• Semi naturalistic.
• It is the only art culture that has ivory.
• Mostly royal figures.
• Highly decorative.

What material did the artists of Benin cast?

bronze
Primarily made of cast bronze and carved ivory, Benin art was produced mainly for the court of the Oba of Benin – a divine ruler for whom the craftsmen produced a range of ceremonially significant objects.

What do the Benin Bronzes represent?

The Benin Bronzes are from Benin City The 3,000-plus items that make up the Benin Bronzes include statues and plaques that decorated the palace of the Oba, the king of Benin, and are representations of kings and queen mothers of the Edo people (the people of Benin) and a historical record of the kingdom.

Where are the Benin Bronzes displayed?

the British Museum
The British government has argued that the Benin Bronzes “properly reside” in the British Museum, which has the largest collection of them in the world – with more than 900 pieces. Hosting the ancient objects in London also ensures they are accessible to the world, the UK authorities say.

How is bronze casting made?

Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, made by heating the two metals together and allowing them to cool. Bronze sculpture is made via a process known as casting: pouring molten metal into a mould and leaving it to solidify.

What do the Benin Bronzes show?

The ‘Benin Bronzes’ (made of brass and bronze) are a group of sculptures which include elaborately decorated cast plaques, commemorative heads, animal and human figures, items of royal regalia, and personal ornaments.

What do the decorative brass plaques from Benin tell us about the Obas who commissioned them?

What do the decorative brass plaques from Benin City tell us about the obas who commissioned them? The obas displayed them to illustrate the organization of the Benin City royal society.

What different materials did Benin craftsmen use?

Craft workers in Benin used lots of different materials. People worked with clay, wood and leather. Weavers used fibres from plants to make colourful cloth. The most precious materials were brass, coral and ivory.

What are Benin Bronzes made of?