The Niger Bend

12″ (30.5 cm) This cast bronze (or, more properly, brass) head is of an oba (king) from the Middle Period, designed for use on an ancestral altar. Actually, this is a modern replica made in Benin City by the Royal Brasscasters of the Benin Court. These brass casters function very much like a medieval European guild. They make some modern works for sale to tourists as well as traditional works for sale, but they also supply the Benin royal court with all the brass objects of traditional forms that it needs for carrying out  traditional courtly ceremonies. Thanks to Dr. Martha Ehrlich, Professor Emeritus, for providing this information which we very much appreciate.