An Altar object in the style of Benin, a copy of the Queen mother heads, called "Uhunmwu elao ọghe Iy’ọba". Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie (first half of the 16th century). When invaders attacked Benin in 1515-1516, she raised an army and defeated them, saving her son's kingdom. Her son called her "Queen Mother" (Iyoba) and gave her a rank among the most important chiefs of the kingdom. This head represents a Queen Mother, as can be seen from her ornate, pointed headdress. Most of these Benin bronzes in Museums were "cleaned" in the 1960th and 1970th and they no longer have the original patina.

It would be desirable if Benin research would also deal with the topic of the loss of the original patina, which can be found in Western museums from the first moment of import from Africa or entry into museums and led to a falsification that today makes age assignment extremely difficult. It would be desirable if Benin research would also deal with the topic of the loss of the original patina, which can be found in Western museums from the first moment of import from Africa or entrance into museums and led to a falsification, which makes an age assignment even more difficult today.

Weltmuseum, Wien,"cleaned" bronze-head of an Idia sculpture, the Queen mother of the Oba. Source: Digital Benin, Object No. VO_64698.

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Height: 36 cm
Weight: 3,5 kg