Edo Benin Bronze Pot For Sale

Dimensions: L:23.6in W:15.7in D:15.7in

Benin bronzes or Benin royal art are intricately crafted bronze vessels that originated from the Kingdom of Benin (now part of modern-day Nigeria). These bronze pots hold immense historical, cultural, and artistic significance. The Kingdom of Benin, renowned for its artistic achievements, produced a remarkable array of bronze artworks, including pots, plaques, statues, and other royal regalia. These bronze objects served as symbols of power, prestige, and the divine authority of the Benin kings (known as Oba) and their court. The creation of bronze art was closely linked to the royal palace and courtly rituals. Benin bronze pots were created using a technique called \"lost-wax casting\". While these pots were primarily artistic and ceremonial objects, they were also functional vessels used in courtly rituals and ceremonies. They were used to hold offerings, libations, or valuable substances. Benin bronze pots were also displayed prominently within the royal palace and used during important occasions, such as royal audiences, royal burials, and other significant ceremonies.

The Edo tribe, also referred to as the Bini people (derived from Benin), can be found in Edo State in the south of Nigeria, although they can also be found spread across the Delta, Ondo and Rivers states. The Edo/Bini-speaking ethnic groups include the Esan, the Afemai, the Isoko, the Urhobo among others. They are the descendants of the people who founded the ancient and mighty Kingdom of Benin which was founded around the year 900, but it reached the height of its power in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries as a result of the conquests of new territories by two kings —Oba Ewuare and his son Oba Ozolua (Oba means “king”). The Obas of Benin amassed great wealth by controlling trade routes reaching from the river Niger in the East to the western border with the kingdom of Dahomey. In Benin City, craft workers were organised into groups known as guilds. There were guilds for wood carvers, ivory carvers, leather workers, blacksmiths and weavers. Most important of all was the brass casters’ guild. They were only allowed to work for the Oba (king). The name Benin was derived from “Ubinu” which was used to describe the capital of the kingdom. But was then mispronounced by the Portuguese as “Bini” and then further to Benin around 1485 when the Portuguese began trade relations with Oba Ewuare who was the traditional ruler at the time.