Collection of Drago Muvrin's African objects of art

Svira: --- 
Qween mother's head
Inv. num. 80

Benin City, Nigeria
bronze
h=39.5 cm

If you have a different or additional information about this item, write us!
Selected items

The bronze head represents an idealised image of the queen mother – iyoba.

The tradition of the making of such figurines started  in the kingdom of Benin in the late 15th and early 16th centuries with queen Idia, mother of king Oba Esigie, who played a key role in conquering ventures of her son, thanks to her political skills.  Since that period, queen mothers take the second important place in the reigning hierarchy, directly  after the king.

Memorial heads of queen mothers made part of the altars  dedicated to ancestors.  King heads differ by coral beads crowns, the upper top of which is turned forwards.

Figurine - female doll; Aku'ba Figurine – female twin; Igbo Mask worn on the top of the head; Chi Wara Qween mother's head
Manila – armlet and ankle bracelet Prediction plate Bowl Drum; Talking drum; Iya'lu dundun
Page: 1