Final answer:
The Royal Altar in honor of Oba Ovonramwen features cast bronze heads, altar bells, a royal altar tableau, and carved ivory tusks. The items are significant to the Benin Kingdom and were created using the lost-wax casting technique for ceremonial purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Royal Altar in honor of Oba Ovonramwen typically features several key elements that exemplify the Benin Kingdom's rich artistic heritage. First are the cast bronze heads (uhumwelo), which represent an idealized likeness of the Oba and are known for their detailed cap patterns, which resemble coral beads a valuable resource that was imported for the Oba. These heads were often placed on the altars to honor the king and were made using the sophisticated lost-wax casting technique.
Other items that could be found on the ancestral altar include altar bells, the royal altar tableau (urhoto), and carved ivory tusks. These tusks sometimes had an opening at the top to hold elaborate engravings and were considered among the best sculptures made using the lost-wax casting technique. The creation of these artifacts was strictly commissioned by the Oba or a designated authority, and they played a prominent role in ceremonial events and spiritual activities.