Recently, P and R had been to Lagos for a week to stay with C. They had been to a museum in the city and came across some 16th cent. Benin bronzes. However, the bronzes were in dusty glass cases and poorly lit. So, they appeared as dark shapes with little detail. P, R and I decided to visit the BM last Saturday to view their collection of bronzes and a few other items. They were well displayed but the information boards contained their history. They were taken as trophies from Benin by British troops. In about 1897 the locals rebelled against the British rule, and killed some officials. British soldiers were sent in to put down the rebellion.
Many flat bronze plates had been fixed to the walls of Benin city.
The picture above is of a Benin hornblower (16th cent.)
