Beninese Royal Portrait Head

He looks straight ahead, with no need to raise his voice.

This royal portrait head, depicting an Oba or king, is terra cotta from Benin, West Africa, 20th century. Portrait heads of the Oba are among the best known images of West African court art. The face is broad and smooth, with outlined almond eyes and full, closed lips. Rows of round studs cover the crown, and a textured reptile-like form runs down from the top of the forehead. Bands of incised lines ring the thick neck. The clay shows dark browns and reds, and it sits on a wooden base. Twenty-three and three quarter inches high.

One does not look away first.