Final answer:
In the Benin kingdom, the traditional heads of an Oba were predominantly made from cast bronze using the lost-wax casting method, a symbol of prestige and durability. Details included coral beads and layers of bead necklaces, and the heads were part of altars honoring past Obas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional heads of an Oba, or king, in the Benin kingdom were exquisitely crafted from metals. Among the materials used, the most prestigious and enduring has been cast bronze. These bronze heads are characterized by their intricate design, reflecting an idealized, youthful, and stylized rendition of the Oba. The lost-wax casting method was instrumental in achieving the precise details for which these sculptures are renowned. Historical and artifact records suggest that bronze was favored for its durability and the intricate workmanship it allowed, making it the primary material for the creation of the Oba heads.
Ornamentation on the heads often included a woven cap patterned after coral beads and multiple layers of bead necklaces, indicating high status and the wealth of the Oba. Some of these heads featured openings for elephant tusks, which adorned and completed the altar pieces. All of these characteristics signify the importance and the reverence held for the Oba in Benin society, and the heads adorned altars made to honor past rulers. These artifacts, along with the brass plaques depicting Benin's history, play an essential role in maintaining and portraying the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Benin kingdom.