260335 - Large old African Bronze Oba head Benin - Nigeria.

Large African Bronze Oba Benin head sculpture - Nigeria.

Height: 35 cm and more then 4 kilo

The Oba of Benin is the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Edo people. The then Kingdom of Benin (not to be confused with the contemporary and unrelated Republic of Benin, is still largely populated by the Edo (also known as Benin ethnic group).

The Royal City of Bénin, in southern Nigeria, was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Africa. The royal city is believed to have been founded by a prince from the neighboring city of Ifé around the 13th century, before encountering Portuguese colonists from the 15th century onward, followed by trade exchanges and attempts at conversion to Christianity. Bénin City was sacked by the English in 1897. The king of Bénin was the Oba, who was honored with a highly developed court art, of which these sculpted leopards, made using the lost-wax technique and cast in bronze (brass composed of copper and lead), are some of the most representative elements. The leopard, like the Oba, symbolized the same place among the animals and among his subjects. The Kingdom of Benin is also famous for its bronze Oba heads, court sculptures of dwarves, European soldiers and especially the bronze plaques that adorned the Oba's palace.