Commemorative head (royal or noble portrait) 

Title of the work: Commemorative Head (royal or noble portrait)
Population / Cultural Area: Edo (Kingdom of Benin)
Geographical Area of ​​Origin: Nigeria, West Africa
Date: 20th century (revival of ancient models, traditional style)
Material: Bronze/brass alloy (lost-wax casting)
Dimensions: h. 51 x 16 x 23 cm
Cultural and Symbolic Context: In the Kingdom of Benin, the production of bronze heads was a courtly art closely linked to royal power. They were placed on commemorative altars of deceased obas or dignitaries, alongside other ritual objects (bells, carved ivories, plaques). Bronze, a durable and precious material, was a symbol of eternity, wealth, and dynastic continuity. The cross-net headdress and pearl necklaces recall the external signs of royal power. The main function of these works was twofold: to keep alive the memory of ancestors and past rulers; and to ensure, through worship, the protection and legitimacy of the power of the living ruler.