Commemorative head of a royal ancestor

Title: Commemorative Head of a Royal Ancestor (uhunmwun ela ọba)
Origin: Nigeria, Kingdom of Benin (Edo State), Edo Culture
Period: Between the 17th and 19th centuries (stylistic attribution; to be confirmed with metallurgical analysis)
Material: Copper alloy (bronze/brass, obtained using the lost-wax casting technique)
Dimensions: H. 40 x 25 x 33 cm
Historical/Artistic Notes: Benin bronze heads represent one of the most refined expressions of African fusion. Placed on dynastic altars, they were often accompanied by ivory, bells, and other bronzes. In addition to their religious function, they were visual symbols of royal continuity and the sacredness of the throne. The style varies according to the period: the earliest (15th–16th centuries) are more naturalistic and subtle; the later (17th–19th centuries) tend toward massive proportions and more geometric details.