Commemorative Head Probably mid–17th/mid–18th century

This terracotta Commemorative Head was created by an Edo artist. These heads were commissioned in the ancient Kingdom of Benin, now part of Nigeria. They were placed on ancestral altars in the royal palace to honor deceased Obas, or rulers. Considered within the context of Benin’s history, this sculpture speaks volumes about power, lineage, and the intersection of the spiritual and political realms. The depiction of the head, with its serene expression and elaborate coral bead headdress, embodies the idealized image of leadership. The weight of the beads alludes to the Oba’s symbolic burden of responsibility and the divine right to rule. These heads serve not just as portraits but as active participants in the ongoing dialogue between the living and the dead. They are a reminder of the enduring legacy of Benin’s rulers and the kingdom’s complex social structures. The sculpture’s solemnity inspires contemplation on the intertwined themes of mortality, memory, and authority.