Over 900 objects from the historic Kingdom of Benin are currently cared for by the British Museum. More than 100 can be seen in a rotating display within the Museum's Africa galleries. Objects from the Kingdom of Benin are lent around the world.

Benin: an African kingdom Objects from the Royal Palace Until the late 19th century, one of the major powers in West Africa was the kingdom of Benin in what is now southwest Nigeria. When European merchant ships began to visit West Africa from the 15th century onwards, Benin came to control the trade between the

Benin grew in power and wealth during the 15th and 16th centuries. The British Museum has a number of objects from this time, including some of the plaques which decorated the royal palace, home to the oba (ruler) of Benin.

Apr 2, 2021 · The British Museum has the most Benin Bronzes of any institution worldwide, with 900 objects from the group in its holdings.

Mar 2, 2025 · Benin Bronzes Palace plaques, brass relief sculptures by Edo artists in the court of the kingdom of Benin (now Nigeria), 15th–19th century; in the British Museum, London, which houses the largest collection of Benin Bronzes.

The two largest collections of Benin Bronzes are located in the Ethnological Museum of Berlin and in the British Museum in London, while the third largest collection is located in several museums in Nigeria (principally the Nigerian National Museum in Lagos).

May 18, 2021 · Artnet News reached out to 30 museums known to hold Benin bronzes to ask for an update on their position on restitution, and the status of objects in their collection. Photograph of an ancestral shrine at the Royal Palace, Benin City taken during the visit of Cyril Punch in 1891.

Dec 3, 2020 · Within months of the raid, some of the Benin Bronzes were on display at the British Museum, which today still holds the largest collection. The bronzes are considered to be some of the finest...

Jan 23, 2020 · After a chance encounter, two men made it their mission to return them. A display of Benin Bronzes at the British Museum in London. The artifacts were looted by British troops in the 19th...

Jun 19, 2023 · One of the most contentious items in the British Museum are the Benin Bronzes, which originated from the Kingdom of Benin, now located in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Kingdom of Benin was established in the 1200s and grew into a prosperous and wealthy empire, well known for its craftsmen and trade network.