benin udo head
ethnic group: edo, benin kingdom
country of origin: old benin kingdom, nigeria
material: metal (bronze)
aproximate age: 16th-17th century
dimentions: 10"
overall condition: excellent
A metal bust with a rounded, naturalistic face, almond shaped eyes a broad nose and full lips, sropting a crown of coral beads in early Benin Kingdom layered wig style. The crown is acented with two spiked beads on the sides of the head, from which pairs of braided beads flow shoulder-length. The bust sports six ringed necklaces, and terminates on a round, rigid base. The rear of the bust features a long, rectangular cut-off, another major departure from the standard Benin casting style. Heavy red rust, green oxidation and other various patina.
The Udo bronze head remains a standout, not just for the departure from the better known styles in the corpus of Benin art, but also for its rarity. This is probably a direct result of the history that attends this genre of Benin altar heads.
pricing available on request
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