Tête de commemorative - Sculpture - Yoruba / Benin Edo - Benin (No reserve price)

Statue representing a queen mother's head.

The art of Benin is described as court art because it is closely associated with the king, known as the Oba. The tradition of bronze court objects from Ifé dates back to the 14th century. The numerous heads and brass statues created by Benin artists were reserved for the exclusive use of the inhabitants of the royal palace and, most often, placed on rectangular-shaped altars consecrated by each new Oba. They were topped with heads, statues, carved ivory tusks, bells, and staffs. They served to commemorate an Oba and to contact his spirit.