Benin Art

     The culture of Benin dates all the way back to before 1400 and it still survives today. Its origins started in the 13th century just west of the lower Niger River. However, its true power and extent came about in the 15th and 16th centuries. The culture then started a slow decline and the Benin palace was sacked by the British in 1897. However, the culture lives on in modern times, and the king still lives in the palace.

Benin belt buckle mask which stands 9 3/8" high.

     Ivory was very popular in creating objects for the king. Ivory was seen as very valuable and precious, and so most of these objects were small in size. For example, The Ivory belt mask of a Queen Mother (seen
lower left) is under 10 inches in height. Despite its small size, it has incredible detailing. The detailing of the curvature of the facial features such as the rounded nose and arched lips adds to the realism of the piece. Personally, I believe that the cracks in the ivory add depth to the lips. Our lips are cracked, and the cracking in the ivory itself adds to this effect. There are also miniature figures surrounding the top of the head on what may be a headdress and the collar. They are each individually engraved and outlined in a specific form. They seem to be some sort of mystical creatures or spirits. The headdress has specific beads which would have been held tightly together to hold the headdress intact. The detailing done on each micro bead is astounding. This piece of work is very small as previously stated, and so carving minuscule details would have required extreme focus and perseverance.  Another aspect of the face that caught my eye, was the eyes themselves. This figure has extremely defined eyeballs and eyelids. The darkness of the pupil adds to the surrounding effect of the overcast eyelids. This piece is a true combination of masterful form and technique with desire to create the best images for the king.

     Another feature of Benin culture was their centrality of the sacred oba which is shown in the cast-brass shrine called an ikegobo. This piece shows compositions of hierarchy centered on the central image of the king who is portrayed as the largest figure. To his sides are smaller members of the court who were below him and in front of the king are 2 leopards. These were animals that would be sacrificed by the sacred king to symbolize his power over all creature. This piece is in a cylindrical shape and it is a sculpture in the round. There is a scene occurring on the bottom ring of the cylinder, in which we can see the portrayal of more leopards below the hands of the king. In the center ring the king is seen in the middle among inferior members of the court. They are depicted as smaller, and weaker. On the top ring are the 3-D images of the king, 2 lesser court members, and a pair of leopards. The fact that the king is on the top with men and animals below him, symbolizes his power over man and beast.
 
     The extreme details on sculptures and creations in the times of Benin is truly remarkable. The small ivory mask covered with immense detailing and figuring, and the ikegobo combine Benin ideals and put them into artwork. Benin was truly a time of prosperity in Africa in which artists were able to great magnificent works.