xiii, 330 pages : 30 cm

For more than 500 years, the artists of the West African kingdom of Benin created objects in brass, ivory, terracotta, and wood for use in divine kingship rituals, to adorn the royal palaces, and to identify the king, chiefs, warriors, and other officials at court. This volume presents a recent gift to The Metropolitan Museum of Art of over 150 works of Benin sculpture, making the Museum's collection of sixteenth- to nineteenth-century Benin art one of the most

Comprehensive in the world. Among the objects--many reproduced in full color--are brass heads depicting past kings and queen mothers, free-standing brass figures, exquisite plaques, insignia of office, cast brass and carved ivory bracelets, carved elephant tusks, personal ornaments, musical instruments, court furnishings, and more. Black-and-white and color photographs of related objects and actual ceremonies help place the collection within its cultural and historical

Context. An introduction provides background on the history, art, and culture of Benin, and the illustrations are accompanied by expert commentary that summarizes the latest research on Benin art. A special section is devoted to the brass and ivory arts of the nearby Yoruba kingdoms of Owo and Ijebu, which were heavily influenced by Benin

Foreword / Philippe de Montebello -- Preface / Klaus G. Perls -- Benin Altars. Heads of Kings. Queen Mother Heads. Terracotta Heads. Royal Altar Tusks. Figures. Altar Tableaus. Roosters. Rattle-Staffs. Bells. Altar Rings. Altars to the Hand -- Palace Plaques. Palace Plaques -- Court and Ceremonial Objects. Pectorals, Hip Ornaments, and Waist Pendants. Bracelets. Staffs of Office. Hand-held Clappers. Ivory Trumpets. Healing and Divining Instruments. Brass Vessels and Implements. Ivory Containers and Implements. Wood Boxes and Coconut-shell Containers. Stools and Chairs -- Art of Yoruba Kingdoms. Owo. Ijebu

Includes bibliographical references and index

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