Plaque

Item number 1373/69 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
Data Source

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Description

Rectangular, metal object depicting eight male human figures standing side-by-side, hands crossed in front of them, in low relief. Object is heavily oxidized and has a red hue. Metal loop located in the centre above the figures' heads.

Specific Techniques

Made with the cire-perdue or lost-wax method. The mould is made of beeswax, covered with clay, and then fired. The wax melts and the hollow clay cast is then filled with scraps of copper-based alloy, before being fired for a second time. XRF analysis suggests the piece is made of a bronze alloy, with a high bismuth content.

Iconographic Meaning

This bronze plaque depicts human figures standing shoulder to shoulder. All are male, and may be low-ranking members of the Benin court, possibly emada (pages)? The way they are displayed suggests they are all of equal status within the court.