Benin Ilaho Altar Head | Fashor and Eagar
Fashor and Eagar, purveyors and auctioneers of fine African art bring you an outstanding African art collection, largely from private collections. We strive to bring you the finest aged African art forms, originally created as much for function as for beauty.
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Collection

Benin African Art
Benin Commemorative Head
Benin Bronze Head
Benin Oba Head
Benin Bronze
Benin African Art

Benin Ilaho Altar Head

Benin Altar Head

ETHNIC GROUP
Edo People

COUNTRY

Republic of Benin

MATERIAL
Metal.

DIMENTIONS

12 inches tall (30.5 cm)

CIRCA

PROVENANCE

Private USA Collection

EXHIBITED
No known exhibitions

LITERATURE

No known publications

CATALOGUE NOTE

Benin ‘uhunnmu-ilaho’ altar head
Perhaps the most recognized of all Benin icons, bronze altar heads are the most prominent features on Benin altars. They were cast to honor and maintain the presence of predecessors. This practice reflects the Benin association of the head with being the seat of judgment, intelligence, character, as well as the source of the senses of taste, smell, sound, sight and reasoning. The head is synonymous with destiny (ehi) in Benin context.

This particular style typifies the middle period in Benin art history (1550 – 1700), which marked a progression from the highly naturalistic to the more stylized, and eventually more ornamented, and flamboyant styles of the late period. Certainly a treasure fit for kings.

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