Advanced Search 
Relief plaque showing a war chief with two attendants
Edo, Benin kingdom, Nigeria
c. 1530-1570
Medium/Technique
Copper alloy
Dimensions
Length x width: 40.6 x 36.8 cm (16 x 14 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Robert Owen Lehman Collection
Accession Number2020.383
CollectionsAfrica and Oceania
ClassificationsPlaques
This bronze plaque is part of a set of more than 800 that once decorated the pillars in the audience hall of the Oba, or king, of Benin. The central figure—the largest because the artist wished to stress his importance—is wearing a unique costume. His high crown and long feathered tunic set him apart from other courtiers and warriors depicted on plaques in the MFA collection. The figure is wearing a collar of coral-beaded necklaces, called an odigba, which was given by the Oba to high-ranking members of the court. He also wears a warrior's bell wrapped around his chest, and holds a spear and shield as if ready for battle. The busts of the Portuguese figures in the upper left and right corners may underscore the man's military abilities. Portuguese mercenaries fought alongside Benin warriors in a 1517 war—although these Portuguese figures are only smoking pipes, and seem at their ease. The small nearly-nude figures in the courtier's retinue are adolescent boys in service to the palace, called emada (sing. omada). The young man on the left carries a ceremonial court sword, called an eben, used by senior official to perform for the Oba. Both emada have scarifications on their faces and torsos that denote their status as subjects of Oba.
Provenance16th century, commissioned by Oba Esigie (r. 1517-1550s) or his son Oba Orhogbua (r. 1550s-1570s), Royal Palace, Benin City; by descent to Oba Ovonramwen (Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, b. about 1857 – d. about 1914; r. 1888 - 1897); 1897, probably looted from the Royal Palace during the British military occupation of Benin. June 25, 1968, anonymous sale, Sotheby’s, London, lot 155, to Charles Ratton (dealer; b. 1895 – d. 1986) for £11,000. By 2011, Robert Owen Lehman, Rochester, NY; 2020, gift of Robert Owen Lehman to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 16, 2020)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Although the early provenance of this object is not recorded, it is likely that British forces took it from the Royal Palace in Benin City in 1897. At that time troops occupied the city and seized approximately 4,000 works of art as spoils of war; these objects then made their way to European collectors, dealers, and museums. It is also possible that it left Benin City at a later date or by other means that have not been documented.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Although the early provenance of this object is not recorded, it is likely that British forces took it from the Royal Palace in Benin City in 1897. At that time troops occupied the city and seized approximately 4,000 works of art as spoils of war; these objects then made their way to European collectors, dealers, and museums. It is also possible that it left Benin City at a later date or by other means that have not been documented.