Figure groups consist of two or more figures cast together on a flat base or plate. Although there are a range of different scenes captured in brass in these groups, there are some common motifs. One of the most common is that of the Ọba flanked on either side by the attendant chiefs Osa and Osuan, each supporting one of the Ọba’s arms. This pose is part of the annual Ague, or New Yam, festival and is depicted in and on many objects, from pendant plaques to relief plaques, highlighting the symbolic and ceremonial importance of this motif and pose. Unlike altar tableaux, the bases of these are flat (rather than raised platforms), and the figures are not in a square formation around the edge.

Figure Group

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The British Museum’s archives are held in various locations across the institution. The items listed here aim to give an overview of the main locations where relevant archival and photographic material relating to objects from the Kingdom of Benin is housed. Key areas relevant for cultural objects from the Kingdom of Benin are: Corporate Archives; Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas archives; Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory archives; and the Anthropology Library and Research Centre.

Website

Department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas 

Online Catalogue

Library & Archive

British Museum

Internal Data (eng)

British Museum link

Smith, Philip Creasey

Donor

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juju 

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dwarf

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aboriginal

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tribe

This word was redacted from the catalogue as a derogatory racialised word.

DB_redacted_word

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non-western

western-art

western museum

tribal

hofzwerg

For more information on this term and its violent and inherently harmful context to indigenous communities, see 

British Colonial Military Campaign on Benin, February 1897

expedition

exotic

negro

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Black Africa

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primitive

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medicine man

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