Benin Court Plaque

Regal Histories Cast in Bronze

The Benin Court Plaques are among the most iconic treasures of African art and history, created by the Edo people of the Benin Kingdom (in present-day Nigeria) between the 16th and 17th centuries. Cast using the sophisticated lost-wax bronze technique, these plaques were originally mounted on the walls of the royal palace at Benin City, each telling a vivid story of royal lineage, historical events, and spiritual beliefs.

Each plaque is a high-relief narrative, capturing kings (Obas), warriors, courtiers, and ceremonial life in exquisite detail. They served not only as records of power, but also as sacred objects believed to embody the presence of ancestors and the enduring authority of the monarchy. The visual language—elaborate dress, regalia, and symbolic motifs—communicates the wealth, influence, and spiritual depth of one of West Africa’s greatest kingdoms.

Tragically, many Benin plaques were looted during the British Punitive Expedition of 1897 and are now scattered in museums and private collections across the world. Their legacy, however, continues to inspire conversations about cultural heritage, restitution, and the remarkable creativity of Africa’s past.