18th c. African Head of an Oba, Edo Peoples, Benin

Late 18th Century Century African Brass Copper Head of an Edo Oba [King], Nigerian, Court of Benin | The overall cylindrical shape, beaded collar covering the chin, and addition of bead clusters to the crown identify this Benin brass head as belonging to the eighteenth century. The three raised marks above each eye, called ikharo, believed to represent scarification marks also indicagte 18th or early 19th Century. Men would usually have three marks, while women and foreigners would wear four. The pointed oval eyes are outlined with heavy stylized rims, which are not decorated with incisions like those of later examples. Additionally there is no wide-lipped flange at the base of the head, which became an integral component of later nineteenth-century heads | Approx. Size: 10" H x 6.5" W; Approx. Weight: 9.5 lbs. Some corrosion that can be cleaned / removed, other signs of age. One of the first duties of a new Edo oba, or king, is to establish an altar to his father and commission artists to create objects to adorn it. The altar serves both as a tribute to the deceased oba and a point of contact with his spirit. This cast-brass head would have been placed on such an altar. Its red color and shiny surface make it both beautiful frightening, appropriate attributes for a powerful monarch. The high collar and beaded headpiece represent the coral-beaded costume worn by reigning obas. References: Webster, William Downing. Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnological Specimens, European and Eastern Arms and Armor, Prehistoric and Other Curiosities. Vol. vol. 28, no. 57. London: Oxon, 1895–;Catalogue of Primitive Art. London: Sotheby & Co., July 8, 1974, no. 83;Vogel, Susan M. African Sculpture: The Shape of Surprise. Greenvale, NY: C.W. Post Art Gallery, 1980, no. 77;Dark, Philip J.C. An Illustrated Catalogue of Benin Art. Boston: G. K. Hall & Co., 1982; and, Ezra, Kate. Royal Art of Benin: The Perls Collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1992, fig.