Queen Mother Head Sculpture

Item number 3677/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Cast bronze, hollow female head with tall protruding crown or ukpe-okhue. The pointed crown is formed of a net of cylindrical beads (appears cross-hatched), with its point curving forward. There are two vertical bands on the forehead between the eyes, and four scars (raised vertical lines) above each eyebrow. Many breaks and corrosion in the layered metal.

Narrative

Marcel Ollivier was the French Consul General posted to Freetown, Sierra Leone, c. 1960s-1970, during which time he purchased this collection of objects (2853/1-9). He later finished his diplomatic service in Vancouver as French Consul General from 1982-1986, after which he retired to England. The objects were donated to MOA by his daughter-in-law.