Queen's Head Iyoba - Nigeria

Origin. Nigeria
Tribe name. Bini/Edo
Material. Bronze
Dimension. 54
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commemorative head of Iyoba (Queen Mother), an emblematic piece of art from the Benin Kingdom (present-day Nigeria), created by the Edo people.

The Headdress (Ode-Ebe)
The most striking element is the tall conical headdress, nicknamed the "chicken beak." It is covered with a carved network imitating a coral bead lattice. In Edo culture, coral was a sacred material reserved for royalty, believed to possess protective energy (the ase).
The Face and Scarifications
The features: The face is treated in an idealized and serene way, with almond-shaped large eyes and full lips.
Front Scarifications: There are two vertical marks above each eye (four in total). These scarifications, often inlaid with iron in older pieces, are marks of distinction and belonging to the aristocracy.
The headband: At the base of the headdress, a horizontal band adorned with circular beads frames the forehead.

The neck is encased in a very tall necklace of coral beads that rises to the chin. This necklace is a sign of absolute power and spiritual protection. The number of bead ranks generally indicated the social rank of the person depicted.

These heads were not realistic portraits but ritual objects placed on ancestral altars in the queen mother’s palace. They served as spiritual support to honor the memory of the deceased.
Iyoba Idia: This sculpture style was instituted in the 16th century by the Oba (king) Esigie to honor his mother, Idia, who helped him win crucial battles with her political advice and mystical powers.
Manufacturing technique
These pieces are made using the lost-wax casting technique, a complex process where a wax model is covered with clay, then melted to leave room for liquid metal (often brass or bronze). The finesse of the lattice details testifies to the exceptional mastery of the Benin City guild of foundry artisans.