Hello Jonathan,

Thank you for choosing Mearto for your online appraisal.

Based on the images and information you provided, this item is:

A Queen's commemorative head from Edo, Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria, in bronze. The face with serene expression, is marked by the beautiful look of the eyes with eyelids hemmed with eyelashes, a fleshy mouth and scarifications on the forehead.

Threads of pearls fall back on the temples and neck. The bun headdress covered with a fishnet of coral pearls and the high collar of coral pearls are characteristic. These commemorative heads of Edo queens appear from the 14th century. As the mother of the Oba, the Iyoba was the only woman to hold a very high office at the court of Benin. At the death of the Iyoba, the king cast one or more commemorative heads that he placed on an altar erected in his honor. Not only are the heads commemorative of the deceased, but also reliquaries of their souls.

Beautiful old patina. Good condition

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