Ùhúnmwèlaò (head of an ọ́bà)

Refined portrait busts were centerpieces of ancestral altars arranged by a new ọ́bà (king) in honor of his recently deceased father. Situated in a courtyard of the palace in Benin City, these commemorative sites served as a locus of communication between the living monarch and his forebears. While each head represents an individual ọ́bà, the portraits were created as idealized renderings with youthful plump cheeks, wide eyes, and full lips. The red hue and shiny surface of brass gives the monarch an alluring and intense appearance. His divine status is further highlighted by the articulation of courtly regalia in the form of collars and openwork crowns composed of precious coral beads. Over time, as the role of Benin leaders became increasingly ceremonial, their regalia became more elaborate and dominated their depictions.