Head of an Oba (King); brass; iron; bronze; cast; bronze; iron; cast; Total: Height: 26.8 cm; Diameter: 19.3 cm; sculptures; statues; statuary; ruler portrait; state portrait; ruler/landlord; portrait of the dead; head; face; The commemorative head shows a ruler of the people of West African Benin. He wears a chin wrap and a hood with a curtain; which is a replica of real jewelry made of pierced carnelian. On the right side of the head hangs a hair braid; above it a rosette-like four-piece piece of jewelry; on the left side there are two braids and pieces of jewelry of the same type. Neck collar and plait jewelry belong to the ceremonial garb of the Oba. Above the eyes are three tattoo scars each. On the head there is a round opening. Each Oba erected an altar to his predecessor and his deceased queen mother; on which in addition to cult objects at least one such memorial head was placed. In the middle period; to which this head belongs; elephant tusks; partly decorated with carvings showing historical events; protruded from the head holes.