What’s Your Benin Bronze Zodiac? If Benin Bronzes Were Zodiac Signs

Which Benin Bronze are you based on your Zodiac sign? Check our slideshow to find out!

Asigbe (bolts) are used to secure doors. The ones shown in this grouping are carved from ivory, which indicates they were used at the royal palace of the Oba.

As a Capricorn you value security and are good at keeping secrets.
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Context

The Benin Bronzes are a group of more than 3,000 brass plaques and sculptures dating mainly to the 16th and 17th century that originated from the ancient Benin Kingdom (located in present-day Edo State, Nigeria). In 1897, these artefacts were looted by British troops, after which they were auctioned off and then spread among institutions and museums in Europe and North America. Currently, the British Museum holds more than 900 Benin Bronzes—the largest collection in the world.

Since the 1960s Nigeria has demanded the return of its artefacts. Calls for the repatriation of Benin Bronzes in particular have been gaining momentum in recent years. Below are some recommended articles and interviews on the subject   

 

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