Benin city arts, craft and culture

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This mask was made of copper alloy, a mixture of copper and zinc or tin, and iron in the 1700s. It is decorated in the Benin Kingdom court style, by the Edo peoples of Nigeria. All the animals figures on the surface are symbols of the power of the king, or oba, of Benin, in Nigeria.

The oba is the most powerful person in the kingdom and can be generous as well as fearsome. Today, the oba is Erediauwa, who lives with members of his court in the palace in Benin City.

From the “African Vision” exhibit in the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC. One of 88 objects from a collection of 525, ranging in age from the late 1400’s to the mid-1900’s.


Edo Vessel Lid in the Form of a Leopard Head (Indianapolis Museum of Art)


Edo Standing Male Court Official (Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC)


Edo - Benin King


16th-17th cent. Bronze figure of a Hornblower (British Museum)


16th Century Edo Pendant Mask, Queen Iyoba


Benin Ram's Head Hip Mask (brass)


Leopard Aquamanile - Kingdom of Benin 16th - 19th century Brass


Kingdom of Benin 16th century Bracelet Ivory

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Benin Warrior