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Overview
A large vintage cast brass head modeled on the famous Ife royal heads of the Yoruba. The figure wears a tall beaded crown with a net pattern, a flower-shaped rosette at the front, and a long plume rising from the rosette. Fine vertical lines run across the whole face, as on the Ife originals, while the lips are left smooth. The ears are shown as simple C shapes, and the neck widens to a round base. The surface has a worn turquoise and pale white finish that sits in the lines and texture, with the golden brass showing through on the raised areas. The crown is open at the top and the head is hollow inside. At 18 inches tall, it makes a strong display piece for a mantel, console table, sideboard or bookshelf.
Background
The original Ife heads were cast in copper alloy in Ile-Ife, in what is now southwestern Nigeria, around the 14th and 15th centuries, and a group of them was found at the Wunmonije Compound in 1938. The design has been widely cast by West African metalworkers in the 20th century. This head is unsigned. A small paper label on the back of the neck is handwritten "NIGERIA / CHIEF W/A." It is a heavy casting, weighing 9 lb 13.8 oz, with a rough, dark interior.
Condition
Good vintage condition with no breaks, cracks or repairs seen. The turquoise and white finish is worn and patchy, with brass showing through on the high points, and there is light surface wear and grime from age. The paper label shows some age. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The head measures about 18 x 7 x 6 inches (H x W x D), with the height taken to the top of the plume. It weighs 9 lb 13.8 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
