Abstract
The subject of the study is an analysis of developmental changes of Benin art after British invasion in 1897. The aim of the study is to describe what happened with Benin artefacts that were part of the war booty taken by the British expedition that went on to sell them in auctions and exhibitions.
The study emphasizes the role of traders and collectors who participated in formation of first private and later public museum collections of Benin art. The analysis also focuses on hypotheses and theories dealing with the origin of Benin bronzes.