Commemorative Head of Queen, Edo, Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria
800€
Head of queen mother, Iyoba, in bronze. The serene expression on the face is marked by the beautiful look of the eyes with the eyelids fringed with lashes, a fleshy mouth and scarifications on the forehead. Beads of pearls fall on the temples and the nape of the neck. The chignon headdress covered with a mesh 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, Iyoba was the only woman to hold a very high office in the court of Benin. When Iyoba died, the king cast one or more commemorative heads and placed them on an altar erected in his honor. Not only are the heads commemorative of the deceased, but also reliquaries of their soul.
Beautiful old patina.
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Origin
Ex French collection
- Dimensions: H 38 cm
- Epoque: Fin XIXème
- Ethnie: Edo
- Matériaux: Bronze
- Pays: Nigéria