Beautiful large Edo Ife bronze head sculpture depicting a Benin king / Obe.
Benin bronze objects, were used in West Africa as a form of currency and thus status. Their value lies in both the metal used and the ornamentation created on the sculpture.
Benin sculptures are made using the lost-wax method of casting. This means only one unique items can be made from each wax model. The wax model is carefully covered in clay. This is then heated to set the clay and melt the wax. Molten metal is then poured into the clay mould. Once it cools the clay is chipped away, leaving the bronze sculpture.
Benin bronze objects, were used in West Africa as a form of currency and thus status. Their value lies in both the metal used and the ornamentation created on the sculpture.
Benin sculptures are made using the lost-wax method of casting. This means only one unique items can be made from each wax model. The wax model is carefully covered in clay. This is then heated to set the clay and melt the wax. Molten metal is then poured into the clay mould. Once it cools the clay is chipped away, leaving the bronze sculpture.