In this episode of Forgotten Art History, we journey into the Kingdom of Benin to uncover the artistry, symbolism, and political power behind these masterpieces. We explore how the bronzes were created, what they meant to the people who crafted and cherished them, and how a brutal 1897 British invasion scattered them across museums around the globe.

Today, the Benin Bronzes stand at the center of a global conversation about restitution, identity, and who gets to own the past. Join us as we trace their path from royal treasures to contested museum artifacts and consider what their legacy means in our ongoing efforts to confront and repair the histories empire left behind.

Sources

https://www.metmuseum.org/essays/recovering-benin-bronze

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/nigeria-stolen-benin-bronzes-london-museum

https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/oct/12/restitution-row-how-nigerias-new-home-for-the-benin-bronzes-ended-up-with-clay-replicas

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/kingdom-benin/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Benin

https://www.dw.com/en/how-is-nigerias-new-arts-museum-tied-to-the-benin-bronzes/a-74749589

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ewuare-the-Great

https://www.britishmuseum.org/about-us/british-museum-story/contested-objects-collection/benin-bronzes

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit accessiblearthistory.substack.com/subscribe