{"product_id":"this-finely-cast-bronze-head","title":"This finely cast bronze head","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis finely cast bronze head of fragmentary shape exemplifies the naturalistic and highly refined sculptural tradition associated with the ancient city of Ife. Representing a young woman, the figure exhibits a delicately modeled face with softly contoured features, including almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose, and full lips, conveying both individualization and idealized beauty. The careful attention to proportions, subtle modeling of the cheeks, and intricate hairstyle reflect the technical sophistication of Ife bronze casting, likely achieved through the lost-wax technique. Such works are emblematic of Ife’s artistic innovation, merging realistic portraiture with symbolic and ritual significance, often serving as commemorative or ancestral objects. The serene expression and refined detailing underscore the Yoruba conception of beauty and the integration of naturalism with spiritual and social meaning in Ife court art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1255\" data-end=\"1586\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReferences: Drewal, Henry J. Yoruba: Nine Centuries of African Art and Thought. Center for African Art, 1989. Rydén, Per. Ife and the Yoruba: Sculpture and Society in Pre-Colonial Nigeria. Stockholm: Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities, 1982. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Object labels and catalogue entries on Ife bronze head\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1255\" data-end=\"1586\"\u003eHeight: 25 cm\u003cbr\u003eWeight: 1,4 kg\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Galerie Wolfgang Jaenicke","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251973574979,"sku":"CAB35367","price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0631\/3797\/2463\/files\/CAB35367.jpg?v=1772750350","url":"https:\/\/wolfgang-jaenicke.com\/products\/this-finely-cast-bronze-head","provider":"Galerie Wolfgang Jaenicke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}