Queen Mother heads were commissioned by the Benin Kings (Oba) in honor of their mothers. The first queen mother heads are thought to date to the early sixteenth century reign of King Esigie, the ruler who first established the office of Queen Mother for his mother Idia. The heads representing queen mothers were placed on special altars dedicated to these women both at the royal palace and the queen mother’s residence.  The elaborate “chicken beak” coiffure is a prominent feature identified with Benin royal women. 
The serenity of her expression and her regal features make this one of the most beautiful of the Queen Mother’s Heads.