Oba Head (Memorial Head), 17th century — Metropolitan Museum of Art

Cast brass commemorative head of an Oba (king) of the Kingdom of Benin, 17th century CE. Larger and heavier than 16th-century examples, with more elaborate coral bead collar and increasingly stylised features — characteristic of the late-period (iyunmwun oba) form. Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (accession 14.130.18). Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art returned 29 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022; the Met is under increasing pressure to address its Benin holdings.