Benin Bronzes

High school (ages 12+)
Art & Creativity

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/benin-bronzes

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the kingdom of origin?Kingdom of Benin (present-day Edo State, Nigeria), a major West African power
2. What is the artistic technique?Created using the highly sophisticated lost-wax casting method, demonstrating advanced metallurgical skills
3. How were the Benin Bronzes made?Artisans used a lost‑wax casting method. They shaped a wax model, covered it with clay, melted the wax, and poured molten brass into the mold to create detailed metal figures.
4. Why are the Benin Bronzes called "bronzes" when they are mostly brass?The name comes from the word “bronze,” but most of the pieces are actually made of brass, sometimes with recycled metal from trade items.

Benin Bronzes: A collection of thousands of metal plaques and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin, renowned for their artistic merit and historical documentation.
Kingdom of Benin: A powerful and sophisticated West African kingdom that flourished from the 13th to the 19th centuries, known for its complex political structure and artistic achievements.
Lost-wax casting: An ancient and intricate sculpting technique used to create detailed metal objects by melting and draining wax from a mold.
Benin Expedition of 1897: A military action by British forces that resulted in the violent seizure of thousands of Benin artifacts, marking a significant event in colonial history.