Lower Niger Bronzes: figure
- Gallery: Room 25
- Culture: Nigeria
- Made in: Nigeria (south)
- Date: 10thC - 17thC (circa)
- Object type: figure
- Materials: copper alloy
- Museum number: Af1956,27.224
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a figure of striking detail and historical significance, known as "Lower Niger Bronzes." This human head is cast in copper alloy through the ancient lost-wax technique, a method requiring immense skill and precision. The figure depicts a male head adorned with a shallow cap featuring intricate openwork decoration.
Notably, the ears are stylized and prominent, and three raised, ladder-like bands of scarification marks run down each cheek to the mouth—likely symbolizing status or identity. Along the lower edge of the neck, small holes suggest the piece may have once been attached to something else.
This artwork reflects a style distinct from the more famous Benin bronzes, and is likely from southern Nigeria, made before European contact. The "Lower Niger Bronzes" represent a unique regional tradition in metalworking, one that remains an important part of Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage.
See it in person
Lower Niger Bronzes: figure is on display in Room 25 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
New, in beta. British Museum support has just launched and is still improving: over 1,000 objects so far, with more added all the time.
