Benin Bronze Style Memorial Head, 20th Century

Item Details

Edo style, Benin Peoples, Nigeria
Untitled (Oba ancestral memorial head), 20th century
Cast brass sculpture
Unmarked

A Benin Bronze style memorial head, likely of an Oba (king/ruler) and modeled after the Edo (present day Nigeria, Africa). The figure depicted is wearing an openwork crown with clusters of beads and pendants hanging at each side, and has a rolled collar with a braid flared at the base. A smaller, full-body figure sits atop the apex of the head, holding the hilt of a sword in one hand and a horn-shaped object in the other.

Condition

- accretion and oxidation to metal throughout; hat of smaller figure is finished with clay that is chipped at top.

Dimensions

Item #

ITMG384576