3615956 Iyoba (Queen Mother) Pendant Mask, 16th century (ivory, iron and copper) by Benin (16th century); 23.8 high cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; (add.info.: The Benin Empire (1440-1897) was a pre-colonial African state in what is now modern Nigeria. The headdress is believed to have been made for the King or ObaEsigie, the king of Benin, to honour his mother, Idia, from white ivory, symbol of ritual purity associated with Olokun, god of the sea, source of extraordinary wealth which attracted Portuguese traders (represented here in small bearded heads)); African, out of copyright.