Benin City.
A thousand years of kingdom, craft, and culture — compressed into one city in Southern Nigeria. This is where the Iyoba pendants on this site are hand-sculpted, and where the Benin City tee gets its name.
Where is Benin City?
Benin City is the capital of Edo State in southern Nigeria, home to roughly 1.5 million people. It is not the Republic of Benin — that is a separate West African country next door. Benin City sits inland from the Niger Delta, about three hours by road from Lagos.
For roughly a thousand years it was the seat of the Benin Kingdom, one of the most sophisticated political and artistic civilizations in pre-colonial West Africa. The Oba (king) still reigns from a palace in the city center today.
Why Benin City matters to global culture
If you have ever heard the phrase "the Benin Bronzes", you have heard of this city. In 1897 a British punitive expedition sacked the Oba's palace and looted thousands of brass plaques and sculptures — the Benin Bronzes — which were scattered to museums across Europe and North America. The return of these works is one of the defining restitution movements of our time.
The craft that produced those bronzes never stopped. Guilds of brass casters, carvers, and bead workers still operate inside the city. The Iyoba pendants we sell are made inside that living tradition — hand-cast, hand-strung, in Benin City, by craftspeople working the same forms their grandparents did.
"The city has been producing art of the highest quality for a thousand years. The craft never left — the center of gravity did."
Made in Benin City
Everything on City of Benin that is marked Made in Benin City is produced in-country. The Iyoba Pendant — Obsidian and the Iyoba Pendant — Gold / Tiger Eye are hand-sculpted inside the city. The Benin City tees take their name from the city and carry EDO STATE on the back.
No two handmade pieces are identical. That is the point.
Shop pieces rooted in Benin City
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FAQ
Is Benin City in the Republic of Benin?
No. Benin City is in Nigeria, in Edo State. The Republic of Benin is a separate country to the west, formerly known as Dahomey. Both share "Benin" in their name but have different histories.
What was the Benin Kingdom known for?
The Benin Kingdom was known for its sophisticated bronze and ivory artwork, its centralized monarchy under the Oba, its urban planning (the city walls were the longest earthworks in the pre-mechanical world), and its guild-based craft economy.
Can I buy jewelry actually made in Benin City?
Yes. Our Iyoba Pendants are hand-sculpted and hand-strung in Benin City, Edo State. Every piece is produced in-country by Edo craftspeople.
What language is spoken in Benin City?
Edo (also called Bini) is the native language of Benin City and Edo State. English is the official language of Nigeria and widely spoken.