Chief Solomon Osagie Alonge was a pioneering self-taught Nigerian photographer and the first official photographer for the royal court of Benin City in Nigeria. On this instalment of #ThrowbackThursday, Face2Face Africa takes a look at some of his incredible photos courtesy the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Enjoy!
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Benin-Woman-From-The-Royal-Court-With-Traditional-Hairstyle-And-Coral-Beads.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Benin Woman From The Royal Court, With Traditional Hairstyle And Coral Beads. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Chief-Gaius-Obaseki-Portrait-Mr.-Idehen-Saw-Miller.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Chief Gaius Obaseki Portrait [Mr. Idehen, Saw Miller]. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Four-Sisters-Dressed-Alike-Seated-On-A-Couch.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Four Sisters Dressed Alike, Seated On A Couch. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Head-Shot-Bust-Portrait-%E2%80%93-Young-Woman-Mrs.-Agbontaen-As-Girl.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Head Shot (Bust) Portrait – Young Woman [Mrs. Agbontaen, As Girl]. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Man-Seated-In-Suit-With-Striped-Socks.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Man Seated In Suit With Striped Socks. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Portrait-Of-Man-In-Agbada.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Portrait Of Man In Agbada. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Three-Young-Women-Seated-On-Rail.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Three Young Women Seated On Rail. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Two-Men-Seated-With-Crossed-Legs-I.-Jesurove-On-Left.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Two Men Seated With Crossed Legs [I. Jesurove On Left]. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Two-Women-Dressed-Alike.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Two Women Dressed Alike. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Woman-Wearing-Traditional-Cloth-And-Head-Wrapper.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Woman Wearing Traditional Cloth And Head Wrapper. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Two-Young-Girls-Dressed-Alike.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Two Young Girls Dressed Alike. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Young-Man-And-Woman-Seated-With-Hand-Poses.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Young Man And Woman, Seated With Hand Poses. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Young-Man-Leaning-On-Rail-With-Striped-Shirt.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Young Man Leaning On Rail, With Striped Shirt. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Young-Woman-Leaning-On-Chair-With-Floral-Dress.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Young Woman Leaning On Chair With Floral Dress. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Young-Woman-Leaning-On-Rail-With-Striped-Shirt.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Young Woman Leaning On Rail, With Striped Shirt. Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Young-Woman-Crossed-Legs-Modern.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Young Woman; Crossed Legs (Modern). Photograph By Chief S.O. Alonge, C. 1942 – 1966. Ideal Photo Studio, Benin City, Nigeria.
![#ThrowbackThursday: A look at vintage Nigerian royalty and class through the lens of Chief S.O. Alonge](https://cdn.face2faceafrica.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Youth-With-Jeans-And-Cap-Suede-Lace-Up-Shoes-Rug-They-Used-In-Client-Photos.-Photograph-By-Chief-S.O.-Alonge-C.-1942-%E2%80%93-1966.-Ideal-Photo-Studio-Benin-City-Nigeria..jpg)
Youth with jeans and cap; suede lace-up shoes; rug they used in client photos