The king's palace or court is a square, and is as large as the town of Haarlem and entirely surrounded by a special wall, like that which encircles the town. It is divided into many magnificent palaces, houses, and courtiers' apartments, comprising beautiful long and square galleries. These are about the size of the Exchange at Amsterdam, but some are larger than others, resting on wooden pillars, from top to bottom covered with cast copper, on which are engraved the pictures of their war exploits and battles...

Olfert Dapper, Dutch visitor to Benin, 1668.

The Empire of Benin (1440-1897) was a pre-colonial African kingdom centred on what is today Benin City, the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria. At the height of its power and prestige in the 16th century, it was noted for its wealth and military prowess. But contact with predatory Europeans proved its downfall, culminating in a British 'punitive expedition' in 1897. The invading forces razed and burned the city, meanwhile looting an artistic heritage that remains beyond price...

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