Commemorative plaques cast from brass are a characteristic art form of the Benin
culture of West Africa. Some scholars, noting that the oldest surviving plaques
date to the 1400s, hypothesize that brass-casting techniques were introduced by
the Portuguese, who came to Benin in 1485 A.D. But Portuguese records of that
expedition mention cast-brass jewelry sent to Benin’s king from neighboring Ife.
So it is unlikely that Benin’s knowledge of brass casting derived from the
Portuguese.
Which of
...
culture of West Africa. Some scholars, noting that the oldest surviving plaques
date to the 1400s, hypothesize that brass-casting techniques were introduced by
the Portuguese, who came to Benin in 1485 A.D. But Portuguese records of that
expedition mention cast-brass jewelry sent to Benin’s king from neighboring Ife.
So it is unlikely that Benin’s knowledge of brass casting derived from the
Portuguese.
Which of
...






