Commemorative Head of Queen Mother

The formal style and thickly cast brass of this commemorative altarpiece of a Queen Mother’s head, suggests that it would have been made in the late 18th century, or the 19th century. The style of its coral collar, which extends to the mouth, likewise appears to be a late period feature. Although this head is described in museum records as having been acquired in exchange from the Field Columbian Museum Chicago, probably only the funds for its purchase came from the Field Museum, because the Field Museum has no record of having accessioned it. The director of the Liverpool Museum Henry Ogg Forbes was in contact with dealers who were offering him Benin items in 1899 and he acted as an agent in acquiring Benin bronzes for the Field Museum.