Yoruba • Ile-Ife Tradition • Nigeria
Pair of Crowned Ife-Style Bronze Heads
After the celebrated “Ori Olokun” heads of Ile-Ife — matched pair with plumed crest crowns
Origin
Nigeria
Material
Cast Bronze / Brass
Period
20th Century
Quantity
Matched Pair (2)
An imposing matched pair of Ife-style crowned bronze heads in the royal tradition of Ile-Ife, the sacred city of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. These heads are modeled after the world-famous naturalistic bronze heads excavated at the Wunmonije Compound, Ife, in 1938 — among the most celebrated works in all of African art, with originals held by the British Museum and the National Museum, Lagos.
Each head displays the full canon of the classical Ife style: serene, idealized naturalism; fine vertical striations across the face representing scarification or a veil of shadow; a beaded crown with rope-twist border and frontal rosette; and the tall plumed crest (aigrette) rising from a woven ball, crowned with a budded finial. Rows of perforations around the mouth, jaw, and neck — faithful to the originals — once served to attach a beaded veil and to mount the head for royal funerary rites.
Both heads carry a rich, encrusted verdigris and earthen patina in mottled sage, olive, and umber tones, giving them a commanding excavated presence on a shelf, mantel, console, or collector’s cabinet.
Details & Condition
Dimensions (each)
Approx. 14.5″ H
Weight (each)
Approx. 5 lbs ea.— substantial, heavy-gauge casting
Construction
Lost-wax (cire perdue) cast bronze/brass, hollow form, open base
Condition
Very good vintage condition. Stable encrusted patina throughout, consistent with ag
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