Ancient and contemporary benin bronze – differences and similarities: the content, context and the journey so far

Abstract

In recent times several features have emerged as regards the contemporary sculptures of Benin. These features have either overtly or covertly created the differences between the ancient and contemporary bronze sculptures of Benin. These unfortunate features includes (1) careless finishing, (2) contemporary bronze are heavier, (3) themes are repeated, (4) lack deep storylines, (5) most times, bronze antiques are forged, and (6) most lack sensitive commanding forms. Indeed, these are the traits which made ancient Benin bronze sculptures resonate, reverberate and resound both in ancient and contemporary time. What therefore should be done to move the contemporary Benin bronze sculptures to a higher artistic level is what this paper seeks to appraise and critically establish.