Dimensions and Weight:

Weight: 7.183 kg

Height: 57 cm

Width: 27.5 cm

Ritual bronze statue with two heads from the Edo Kingdom of Benin, Nigeria. Lost-wax casting. Symbol of royal power and ancestral worship.

 

Origin and Cultural Context

This striking bicephalous bronze statue comes from the historic Benin Kingdom, located in present-day southern Nigeria and inhabited by the Edo people. Renowned for their exceptional bronze craftsmanship, the Edo produced plaques, royal heads, and ritual objects of deep symbolic meaning.

Statue Features

Double Head (Bicephalous): The sculpture shows two royal heads facing opposite directions, symbolizing vigilance, spiritual and political authority, and dual perception.

Material: Solid bronze cast using the ancient lost-wax technique.

Style: Realistic features, facial scarification, and elaborate headdress, all typical of royal Benin court art.

Ritual Use: Such statues may have been used during ancestral rites or ceremonies honoring the king (Oba) and his divine lineage.

Cultural Significance

Edo bronzes are among the most iconic works of African art. Each piece stands as a testament to the spiritual and political structure of the Benin Kingdom. The bronze tradition is closely linked to royal ancestry and divine kingship, and objects like this bicephalous statue embody the enduring legacy of Edo civilization.

Provenance

Private collection ZAMBELLI/BRUGNACCHI, assembled between 1990 and 2023.

Transferred to the Spirit Land of Africa Gallery in 2023.

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