The Art of Benin

A superb photographic introduction to the spectacular art of the West African kingdom of Benin, including the well-known brass plaques and heads. Newly commissioned , with stunning photographs, this book follows a beautiful tour of highlights from the British Museum's collection of artworks from Benin. The author, Nigel Barley, is a famous anthropologist and writer, best known for his books about his experiences in the field. When the Portuguese made the first European contact with the west African kingdom of Benin in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, the kingdom was experiencing a golden age. Its authority on the Guinea Coast was expanding through military conquests, and during the sixteenth century it became a leading power in the region and a major trade partner for European merchants. Benin remained an influential independent state and a major political and economic power on the coast, though with periods of both decline and prosperity, until its conquest by the British in 1897. This sumptuous photographic book showcases a series of specially taken photographs of key pieces in the British Museum’s collection. It opens with an introduction to the kingdom, court and culture of Benin, which is followed by thematic sections including kingship, ceremony, women, Europeans, and animals. Throughout, stunning photographs of the works are featured alongside close-up details.