Featured Products - Benin Artwork

History of Benin Artwork

The Kingdom of Benin, now in southern Nigeria, was probably established around the 13th century. It developed by trading in ivory, pepper, cloth, metals, and slavery during the 15th century. It is estimated that Benin was ruled by 33 Oba (also known as Benin kings). The kingdom achieved its greatest power under Oba Equare, who ruled from about 1440 to 1481. With his powerful army he conquered several regions and established a sophisticated bureaucracy. Oba Equare was successful in preventing the Portuguese, who arrived on the coast in 1472, from establishing control over Benin. Another influential Oba (or Benin King) was Oguola who built the great city wall and imported the Ife technique of lost wax casting that used the covering of one or more cores with beeswax and carefully model the sculpture into the exact shape desired. Therefore, each casting was a unique hand formed work. When the wax form was finished to the artist satisfaction, it was covered in a thick coating of clay. After several layers had been applied and air dry, they were placed in a fire and heated so that the wax would melt and could be poured into the open mold. At the end of this process, melted brass was poured into the open mold. After casting, the molds were broken open, the shell knocked off and the artwork was complete.

Benin lost wax castings/bronze artwork can be found in museums throughout the world. You can purchase magnificant Benin lost wax castings from Manding Imports of Africa. Below are rare Benin bronze artwork. To celebrate the rich history of Benin artwork, we have provided special discounts for all Benin artwork on the site. You'll notice a brief description of each item along with an exclusive offer located beneath each photo.



Oba of Benin

Benin were among the great empires of Africa. It was the only one which existed and held sway within the dense and normally inhibiting environment of the great rain forest. The people call themselves and their city Edo; but the Portuguese introduced the city to Europe as Benin (Benim). Benin was equally comparable with Rome under the Emperors, its kings surrounded by supporters, rather than by an opposition, and their armies irresistible under war chiefs. This bronze sculpture is a representation of chief Oba of Benin.
Save $100 off this magnificent sculpture 
At Check-out use coupon code: ObaKingdom
Offer expires October 15, 2008




Benin Leopards

The leopard is a constantly recurring symbol in Benin iconography. The leopard is also considered a main symbol of chieftainship, because it embodies qualities such as courage, strength, ferocity and cunning which are considered appropriate for chiefs.
Save $300 off this exquiste pair of BeninLeopards
At Check-out use coupon code: BeninCats
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Female Benin Bronze Head

To the Yoruba, Ife was the source and spiritual center of their nation. As early as 1172, the Benin elders are said to have applied to Ife for a ruler. Bronze casting was introduced into Benin from Ife during the reign of Benin Oba (King) Oguola ( about 1280). The early Benin artwork show the influence of Ife heads.
Save $200 off this large bronze head
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniQueen
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Benin Warrior

This bronze sculpture is a representation of a warrior for chief Oba of Benin.
Save $100 off this fierce warrior
At Check-out use coupon code: ObaKingdom2
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Benin Queen Mother
An elegant replica of the Benin Queen Mother Head
Save $100 off this beautiful artwork
At check-out use coupon code: ObaKingdom3
Offer Expires October 15, 2008



Benin Rooster

The African bronze rooster is a very rare Benin sculpture.
Save $125 off this exquiste bronze sculpture
At check-out use coupon code: BeninRoos
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Female Benin Head

To the Yoruba, Ife was the source and spiritual center of their nation. As early as 1172, the Benin elders are said to have applied to Ife for a ruler. Bronze casting was introduced into Benin from Ife during the reign of Benin Oba (King) Oguola ( about 1280). The early Benin artwork show the influence of Ife heads.
Save $75 off this meduim size bronze head
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniHead
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Male Benin Bronze Head
The spirit or medicine cult has been overshadowed at Benin by the spectacular cult of the Oba's ancestors. Much of the cult was carried on in the seclusion of the Benin Palace and not in the public view. The spirit cult is based on a belief that the well-being of the people depends directly upon the Oba's life force or spiritual energy. Benin objects connected with the spirit cult are generally grotesque in character; in other words, they have reptiles, snakes, and other animals represented upon them.
Save $75 off this striking bronze head
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniHead2
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Ife Bronze Head Statue
Ife head bronze statues are mostly life-size, some smaller. Most of the bronze heads have fine parallel incisions covering the whole face, probably scarification masks. To the Yoruba, Ife was the source and spiritual center of their nation. The early Benin artwork show the influence of Ife heads.
Save $50 off this beautiful bronze head
At Check-out use coupon code: IfeHead
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Benin Queen/Ancestoral Figure

According to oral history, the elevation of the mother of the Oba to an important place in the kingdom was first instituted by Oba Esigye early in the sixteen century. The Ife artist Ighea passed on the legendary of “lost wax” casting technique which enabled the Benin to create items using less bronze metal. This bronze queen statue was cast using the Lost Wax Method.
Save $50 off this ancestoral firgure
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniFigure
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Bini Queen/Ancestoral Figure

According to oral history, the elevation of the mother of the Oba to an important place in the kingdom was first instituted by Oba Esigye early in the sixteen century. The Ife artist Ighea passed on the legendary of “lost wax” casting technique which enabled the Benin to create items using less bronze metal. This bronze queen statue was cast using the Lost Wax Method.
Save $50 off this ancestoral firgure
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniFigure2
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Bennin Queen/Ancestoral Figure

According to oral history, the elevation of the mother of the Oba to an important place in the kingdom was first instituted by Oba Esigye early in the sixteen century. The Ife artist Ighea passed on the legendary of “lost wax” casting technique which enabled the Benin to create items using less bronze metal. This bronze queen statue was cast using the Lost Wax Method.
Save $50 off this ancestoral firgure
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniFigure3
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Benin King/Ancestoral Figure

According to tradition, when the first Oba (Benin king) died his head was sent to Ife for burial, with Ife sending back a bronze head for the ancestors’ altar. Fascinated by this creation Benin royalty beseeched the Ife king to send an artist who could teach the art of bronze work to Benin craftsmen. The Ife artist Ighea passed on the legendary of “lost wax” casting technique which enabled the Benin to create items using less bronze metal. This bronze king statue was cast using the Lost Wax Method.
Save $50 off this ancestoral firgure
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniFigure4
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Bini King/Ancestoral Figure

According to tradition, when the first Oba (Benin king) died his head was sent to Ife for burial, with Ife sending back a bronze head for the ancestors’ altar. Fascinated by this creation Benin royalty beseeched the Ife king to send an artist who could teach the art of bronze work to Benin craftsmen. The Ife artist Ighea passed on the legendary of “lost wax” casting technique which enabled the Benin to create items using less bronze metal. This bronze king statue was cast using the Lost Wax Method.
Save $50 off this ancestoral firgure
At Check-out use coupon code: BiniFigure5
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Ife Bronze Head

Ife head bronze statues are mostly life-size, some smaller. Most of the bronze heads have fine parallel incisions covering the whole face, probably scarification masks. To the Yoruba, Ife was the source and spiritual center of their nation.
Save $25 off this meticulous bronze head
At Check-out use coupon code: IfeHead2
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Yoroba Bronze Statue

One of the most important characteristics in the art of Nigeria is that in spite of the tribal style differences, in general their artwork is more complex than the majority of African works. In Nigeria many figures are sitting, crouching, riding a horse, holding tools in their hands, and are often surrounded by groups of figures, a combination of human and animal representation.
Save $35 off this bronze statue
At Check-out use coupon code: YoroBron
Offer expires October 15, 2008



Yoroba Statue

One of the most important characteristics in the art of Nigeria is that in spite of the tribal style differences, in general their artwork is more complex than the majority of African works. In Nigeria many figures are sitting, crouching, riding a horse, holding tools in their hands, and are often surrounded by groups of figures, a combination of human and animal representation.
Save $35 off this bronze statue
At Check-out use coupon code: YoroBron2
Offer expires October 15, 2008


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