Wall Sculptures Of Abomey

WALL SCULPTURES OF ABOMEY

By Francesca Pique & Leslie H. Rainer

L14.95 Thames & Hudson

ISBN 0-500-28180-7

The Fon peoples of Benin are the largest of more than 40 ethnic groups that live in the country. Ruled by a dynasty of kings since the early 17th century, the

The most striking feature of these buildings are the palace walls. The eighteenth-century monarch, King Agaja, is believed to have initiated the tradition of adorning the palace walls with bas-reliefs that recounted legends and battles glorifying the dynasty's reign.

In a four-year collaborative effort to conserve these historic artifacts, the Benin Ministry of Culture and Communication worked with experts from the Getty Conservation Institute. Painstakingly, the team embarked on a programme of research to discover the traditional methods for making the bas-reliefs and delved into oral history and early photographs to identify and determine the original location of the pieces.

Their brief was not to try to restore the bas-reliefs to their original condition but to repair major damage and arrest further deterioration. Copies of 50 of the original bas-reliefs were to be created for the exterior walls of the palace, now part of the Historic Museum of Benin, while the originals would be displayed alongside the museum's collection, which includes royal costumes, thrones, weapons, sculpture, appliques, textiles, jewellery. Sacred voodoo and ritual objects are also housed within the complex.

This book's 155 illustrations, 142 in full colour, not only celebrate the cultural splendour of Benin's heritage, but also provide an historic overview of the nation as well as insight into the conservation techniques employed during this important project.