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The reign of the obas in the Kingdom of Benin, situated in present-day Edo State, Nigeria, began in the 13th century and was renowned for its well-established governance, the arts, tribute from their subjects and extensive networks of trading with the Portuguese, Dutch and British. Benin City’s earthwork of ramparts and trenches is considered to be the largest man-made structure in the world, while their straight, sprawling streets, large homes and advanced sewage system were envied by their European traders.
The ubiquitous, elaborate, red coral bead regalia worn by the monarchy and chiefs of Benin for ceremonial events were introduced in the 15th and 16th centuries. Spanning a period of over 800 years, the obas were particularly revered by their subjects, creating over time a very sophisticated and complex court system. Similar to many other burgeoning nations of that era, much emphasis was placed on solidifying power through expansions, taxes, tribute and the control of trade routes, often resulting in wars with the neighboring states which resisted the warrior kings.
In the 17th century, the powerful kings survived severe political shifts, internal disputes between brothers over royal succession, military structural changes and their hold on the lucrative European trade, leading to a civil war from which they eventually emerged triumphantly with restored royal authority.
The Mali, Songhai and Ashanti empires had already fallen. However, the ultimate decline of the powerful Benin empire was attributed to a combination of related factors, beginning with the the industrial revolution, the abolition of the slave trade in the 19th century and the calculated, steady encroachment of the 1,200-plus British soldiers into the hinterlands, away from the visible coastal areas.
Concurrently, as part of the territorial land-grab known as the 'Scramble for Africa', 14 European countries gathered at the Berlin Conference in 1884 to discuss how they would divide the ‘Dark Continent’ between them.
In 1892 a young Irish officer, Henry Gallwey, arrived in Benin with a treaty for the Ọba to sign. Under the guise of fostering trade relations, the treaty sought to impose a British protectorate over Benin, effectively stripping the kingdom of its independence. Previous Ọbas in the 15th and 16th centuries had spoken and written in Portuguese, but neither Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn nor his advisors understood English. Unbeknownst to them, the treaty prevented Benin from trading with any foreign powers aside from Britain.
In 1897 a large delegation led by Captain James Phillips, Britain’s Acting Consul-General in the region, set off for Benin City despite requests from Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn to postpone their next trade visit due to the Iguȩ Festival, a sacred annual period for the Kingdom.
Queen Iden, Benin Kingdom
30”H x 18”W x 10”D (76.2 x 45.7 x 25.5 cm)
The Mali, Songhai and Ashanti empires had already fallen. However, the ultimate decline of the powerful Benin empire was attributed to a combination of related factors, beginning with the the industrial revolution, the abolition of the slave trade in the 19th century and the calculated, steady encroachment of the 1,200-plus British soldiers into the hinterlands, away from the visible coastal areas.
Concurrently, as part of the territorial land-grab known as the 'Scramble for Africa', 14 European countries gathered at the Berlin Conference in 1884 to discuss how they would divide the ‘Dark Continent’ between them.
In 1892 a young Irish officer, Henry Gallwey, arrived in Benin with a treaty for the Ọba to sign. Under the guise of fostering trade relations, the treaty sought to impose a British protectorate over Benin, effectively stripping the kingdom of its independence. Previous Ọbas in the 15th and 16th centuries had spoken and written in Portuguese, but neither Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn nor his advisors understood English. Unbeknownst to them, the treaty prevented Benin from trading with any foreign powers aside from Britain.
In 1897 a large delegation led by Captain James Phillips, Britain’s Acting Consul-General in the region, set off for Benin City despite requests from Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn to postpone their next trade visit due to the Iguȩ Festival, a sacred annual period for the Kingdom.
Queen Iden, Benin Kingdom
30”H x 18”W x 10”D (76.2 x 45.7 x 25.5 cm)
Ọba Ewuakpe (1700-1712) Benin Kingdom
34”H x 18”W x 10”D (86.3 x 45.7 x 25.5 cm)
34”H x 18”W x 10”D (86.3 x 45.7 x 25.5 cm)
They ignored warnings not to violate Benin territorial sovereignty and Captain Philips, 5 other officers and almost 200 African porters were attacked and killed for their arrogance and greed by the Kingdom’s generals. Britain retaliated with 9 ships and soldiers from across the British empire for a ‘Punitive Expedition’, a swift, brutal vengeance, providing an excuse for British annexation.
The brave but unprepared Edo warriors, armed with swords and muskets did not have gunpowder, nor the game changer of the colonial wars—the new Maxim guns. The European rocket missiles also succeeded in breaching the mighty Wall of Benin.
It was in 1897 that the royal compound of Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn N’Ọgbaisi was looted by the victorious British soldiers who shipped crate-loads of centuries-old historic treasures, brass and bronze cast relief plaques, carved ivory and other works of art depicting court life and conquests, bronze sculptures, archaeological finds, ornate staffs and jewels to England as ‘the spoils of war’.
Benin City, the homes, burial places, storehouses and shrines of past obas were subsequently razed and destroyed by fire. Sir Ralph Moor delcared, “You are no longer king—the white man is the only man who is king in this country.” Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn and his family were sent into exile after attempting to escape.
Ọba Ọvọnramwȩn with his wives, Queen Egbe (left) and Queen Aighobahi (right)
As originally planned and anticipated, Benin Kingdom was colonized by Great Britain and, under British rule, the following 16 years were administered without an oba.
Most of the stolen artifacts such as commemorative brass heads had been commissioned specifically for the ancestral altars of past Obas and Queen Mothers and were created by a specialist guild working for the royal court.
The hundreds of bronze plaques provide an unparalleled visual record of the kingdom’s history, its warriors and court customs. They were later auctioned off in London to museums and socialites, attracting art dealers, artists and aristocrats, many of which are now housed in the British Museum, London’s Museum of Mankind and museums across Germany and Austria, among others.
The hundreds of bronze plaques provide an unparalleled visual record of the kingdom’s history, its warriors and court customs. They were later auctioned off in London to museums and socialites, attracting art dealers, artists and aristocrats, many of which are now housed in the British Museum, London’s Museum of Mankind and museums across Germany and Austria, among others.
LOT 1 - OBA EWUAKPE AND QUEEN IDEN
In an effort to misrepresent the value of these treasures, many European and American collectors initially dismissed these objets d’art as primitive art and African artisanal craftmanship, placed in the same category as the familiar Yoruba headdresses and tunics.
According to the Europeans, Africans were not supposed to have as much history and Benin City was denigrated as a place of savagery in the English newspapers.
Yet, their true value emerged as more scrupulous European collectors praised the artistic and technical brilliance of the bronze sculptures, especially noting the immense skill required in lost-wax casting, long associated with Renaissance sculpture. They were made through elaborate processes using rich materials, depicting a vibrant cultural life in a refined, naturalistic, aesthetic tradition and, clearly, the Benin bronzes fully met “the European definition of what art is”.
Although the Benin monarchy was re-established in 1914 by the British, this was undoubtedly self-serving: to legitimize their claims of authority, impose heavy taxes and avoid local uprisings.
As in the case of the current Oba Ewuare II, the
20th century obas held no real authority over their own people, now numbering
more than 1.7 million.
Moreover, since the stolen relics also represent Benin Kingdom’s archives, a guide to traditional dress and ceremonies and part of a surviving and living culture, there remain gaps in such ceremonies performed today.
In 1960, Benin Kingdom was swept into the murky arena of historical and political change, now identified as a southern region in the newly independent Nigeria. Of note, Benin Kingdom has no historical relation to the modern Republic of Benin.
(Sources include British Museum, Blackpast.org, Artsy.net,
Next Gen Bronzes, Widewalls, Metropolitan Museum)
Next Gen Bronzes, Widewalls, Metropolitan Museum)