Royal Benin Art in the Collection of the National Museum of African Art

On view are 21 objects from the permanent collection, ranging in date from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Objects, executed by the lost wax casting technique, include wall plaques, altar pieces, and regalia. The majority of these works were a gift of Joseph Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian. Included are a royal commemorative head and a pendant with a triadic figure group from the 16th to 17th century cast in the court style by the Edo people.

Catalogue