The Kingdom of Benin (located in the southern forests of Nigeria) introduced their bronze art in the year 1280 AD. In 1897, a British expedition stripped the palaces of many thousands of Benin bronzes. However the style continued to be made.
When the Benin Kingdom disappeared, the Yoruba people continued to produce this style as “royal art of Benin” bronzes.
In the last 15 years demand for these bronzes have skyrocketed. This specific head was made in the 1950s or early 1960s.
Stand not included.