Brass plaque showing the Oba of Benin with attendants

The plaques show aspects of Benin court life in the sixteenth century, shortly after Europe's first contact with West Africa. Benin society was highly structured with a King (Oba) who was believed to be a direct descendant of Oranmiyan, the legendary founder of the dynasty.

Related playlists

Downloads

Brass plaque showing the Oba of Benin with attendants

Download this video to watch in your favourite media player, or to view this video online please enable javascript.

Download this video to watch in your favourite media player, or to view this video online please install the Flash player

Brass plaque showing the Oba of Benin with attendants

Popular BSL videos

 

The Lewis Chessmen

The chess pieces consist of elaborately worked walrus ivory and whales' teeth in the forms of seated kings and queens, mitred bishops, knights on their mounts, standing warders and pawns in the shape of obelisks.
Play video 

 

Statue of Ramesses II

One of the largest pieces of Egyptian sculpture in the British Museum, this statue shows Ramesses II, who succeeded his father Sethos I in around 1279 BC and ruled Egypt for 67 years.
Play video 

 

The Rosetta Stone

A valuable key to the decipherment of hieroglyphs, the inscription on the Rosetta Stone is a decree passed by a council of priests.
Play video 

BSL videos by gallery

Created for the British Museum's Multimedia Guide
sponsored by Korean Air

 

Schools BSL project

Frank Barnes Primary School students describe some of the key objects in the Museum.

 

Introducing the Parthenon temple

  • Students aged 10 and 11 introduce the Parthenon temple.
    Play video 
 

Describing African Masks

  • African masks and headdresses are just one part of a masquerader’s performance, which includes costume, music, story and dance.
    Play video 
 

Looking at the Assyrian palace reliefs

  • Students describe the lions (and the dogs used for hunting them) as part of their recent work about animals.
    Play video 
 

Looking at Athena's procession

  • Students aged 10 and 11 describe Athena's procession in the Parthenon temple.
    Play video