Art Resource - ART539875

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Commemorative head of a Queen Mother, Benin. Early 16th CE. 3/4 view. Queen Idia, mother of Oba Esigie, king of Benin from the late 15th to early 16th CE, played a key role in her son's military campaigns against the Igala people, which may have been over control of the Niger waterway. A brass head representing Queen Idia was made to be placed in her altar following her death. It is said that Oba Esigie instituted the title of Queen Mother and established the tradition of casting heads of this type in honour of her military and ritual powers. Such heads were placed in altars in the palace and in the Queen Mother's residence. Bronze, iron, inlaid, lost- wax cast, 41 x 15.5 x 17 cm. Af1897,1011.1.

Location British Museum/London/Great Britain

Unique Identifier ART539875

Type Image

Purpose Public

Size 2293px × 3072px

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