The ownership of this object was transferred to Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in November 2022.
Bronze plaque, known as an Ama. Ama are visual representations of important events in the Kingdom’s history. They ensure that these events are remembered across the generations. Plaques like this covered the walls of the Royal Palace.
This plaque shows a human figure with a beaded headdress, indicating that it might depict an Oba (king). There are also three rosettes in relief on the plaque, and etched floral and dot decoration as the background. There are a number of perforated holes through the plaque.
Made by Igun Eronmwon guildmembers (bronze and brass casters).
Such plaques were made to decorate architectural elements of the Oba’s palace at Benin. They are thought to have commemorated events in the history of the Edo Kingdom. This fragment of a brass plaque appears to show an Oba with characteristic beaded headdress.
