Meet a specialist who continues the tradition of lost-wax casting to produce an array of metalworks for royal and public clients on Ìgùn Street in Benin City.
Part of Africa’s Cultural Landmarks, a series produced by The Met in collaboration with World Monuments Fund and directed by Sosena Solomon, this documentary short intimately explores Ìgùn Street, historic home of the renowned Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n brass-casting guild. Established centuries ago under royal patronage, this guild remains a vital cultural institution, passing its specialized craft from generation to generation.
Like each film in this series, Ìgùn Street emphasizes the essential role communities play in safeguarding Africa’s significant cultural landmarks, bridging historical tradition with contemporary practice.
About Igun Street
Renowned as the mercantile center for the Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n (brass-casting) guild, Benin City’s Igun Street is home to highly specialized artists who continue a centuries-long tradition of lost-wax casting an array of royal and commercial creations. One of many Benin court oral histories relates that in the thirteenth century, a foreign artisan named Ahammangiwa or Igueghae introduced lost-wax casting technology and the knowledge of copper-tin and copper-zinc alloys to the kingdom. The guild of Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n was subsequently established to organize brass-casting specialists under the protection and exclusive patronage of the ọ́bà (king). It was the highest ranking of the up to fifty guilds operating within the palace complex. The Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n quarters remained within the palace grounds until the 1897 British invasion of Benin City, during and after which many court artisans fled the capital. Following the restoration of the Benin throne to Ọba Ẹwẹka II in 1914, guild members began returning to the city, and brass casting specialists populated what became known as Igun street. Passing their knowledge and expertise from father to son, Ìgùn Ẹ́rọ̀nwwọ̀n members continue to work both individually and collaboratively to produce an array of artifacts ranging from bracelets and bells to large leopard figures and heads.
Africa’s Cultural Landmarks is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with World Monuments Fund.
