The Olokun head reconsidered

Abstract

The opportunity was taken in 2010 to carry out a full scientific and technical examination of the brass head from Ife, popularly known as the Olokun head, first published in 1912 by Leo Frobenius, together with a selection of other Ife heads that came to London for exhibition at the British Museum. This was especially appropriate as on its last visit some 60 years previously, the Olokun head had been examined and condemned as a sand cast copy. The present study has established beyond doubt that the Olokun head is a hollow cire perdue or lost wax casting, very similar in technique and composition to the other heads. The balance of evidence suggests that this is the head unearthed at Ife in 1910.

Keywords

• Olokun head
• authenticity
• metalworking
• metallography
• petrology
• sand casting