Benin art and casting technologies

Abstract

The study is dedicated to reflections of Benin art after the 1897 British invasion. The analysis focuses especially on describing what happened with Benin artefacts that were part of the war booty taken by the British expedition that went on to sell them in auctions and exhibitions. The study emphasizes the role of traders and collectors who contributed to the formation of first private and later public museum collections of Benin art. The study also presents casting technologies and hypotheses dealing with the origin of Benin bronzes. The study aims to draw attention to the revitalization of traditional art of iron casting. Towards the end of the paper it is examined what influence the modern Western culture had on traditional iron cast production in the second half of the 20th century.