Thousands of cast brass plaques, heads and figures were made by a royal guild of casters for the Obas of Benin, in present-day Nigeria. The rectangular plaques, mostly cast in the 16th and 17th centuries, were nailed to the palace pillars and show the king, chiefs, warriors and Portuguese traders. British troops looted them in 1897, and several museums have since returned pieces to Nigeria.
Look closer
On the plaques, rank sets size: the Oba or chief at the centre is larger than his attendants. Look too for Portuguese visitors, with their long hair, hats and European dress.
Looks like this
Compared by a vision model
