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Commemorative head of a Queen Mother From Benin, Nigeria, early 16th century AD
Back view
Side view
¾ view from front
Height: 40.000 cm
Gift of Sir William Ingram
AOA 1897.10-11.1
Africa, Oceania, Americas
A Queens Tour
Queen Idia
This brass head shows Queen Mother Idia, whose son Esigie was a king (Oba) of the Benin people. Queen Idia was an important warrior who fought for her son in battle. It is said that Oba Esigie began using the title 'Queen Mother' for the first time, to honour Idia.
For parents
Queen Idia played a key role in her son's military campaigns against the Igala people, which may have been over control of the Niger waterway. Esigie (reigned about 1504-10) may have established the tradition of casting heads of this type, produced in honour of Idia's military and ritual powers. The heads were placed on altars in the palace.