Head of a Queen – Bronze – IFE – Benin

Famous worldwide, African bronzes of the Kingdom of IFE are cast in wax molds that are destroyed (technique called the “lost wax” technique). This work begins by modeling a wax sculpture; then, one makes a mold of the sculpture by slightly coating it with refractory material: The Banko. After drying, the whole is heated, the wax melts and flows through the “empty” mold that is provided and arranged for this purpose. At the right moment, the empty wax mold is filled with liquid metal. The wax and bronze transformation is complete. After solidification and cooling of the bronze (brass by Western standards), the mold is broken to extract the sculpture. After which a long and elaborate work follows.