Decorative ornament - Benin - Bronze plaque

Benin-Style Bronze Plaque – Three Figures / Warriors – Edo People

Beautiful relief plaque in copper alloy, made in the style of the famous royal plaques of the Kingdom of Benin, in present-day Nigeria.

The plaque depicts three figures in high relief, shown frontally and richly adorned. The central figure, of greater importance, is flanked by two figures resembling warriors or dignitaries. They wear tall ceremonial headdresses, necklaces and ornaments characteristic of Edo royal iconography, along with various attributes and weapons.

The background features geometric and vegetal motifs in low relief. The piece has an aged brown-red and verdigris patina, giving it a particularly decorative and expressive appearance.

This work should be considered a 20th-century reproduction or interpretation inspired by the bronze plaques of the Kingdom of Benin, rather than an original royal plaque from the 16th–17th centuries.

Historical Benin plaques were produced using the lost-wax technique and were used notably to decorate the pillars of the Oba’s royal palace in Benin City. Today, they form one of the most important collections of Edo royal art.

The plaque is mounted on a wooden board with two hanging fixtures and a small chain for wall installation. The wooden support and hanging system are later additions.

Period: 20th century, probably the second half
Culture: Edo / Bini
Stylistic origin: Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria
Material: Bronze / copper alloy
Technique: Cast, probably using the traditional lost-wax technique
Subject: Figures, warriors and dignitaries
Presentation: Plaque mounted on a wooden panel with hanging system

Condition: Good overall condition considering its age, with patina and normal signs of wear. Minor irregularities, marks and variations in patina are present, consistent with the casting technique and age of the piece.

Dimensions
Plaque alone
Height: 19 cm
Width: 16 cm
With support
Height: 32 cm
Width: 22 cm

Weight: 2100 g