The Ife Head, discovered in 1938 in Nigeria, is among eighteen copper alloy sculptures found at Ife, the cultural and former royal center of the Yoruba people. It likely depicts a king and was crafted in the 14th-15th century C.E. These sculptures challenged Western perceptions of African art with their realism and craftsmanship. The Ife heads are distinctively naturalistic, possibly the work of a single artist or workshop

The Ife Head, discovered in 1938 in Nigeria, is among eighteen copper alloy sculptures found at Ife, the cultural and former royal center of the Yoruba people. It likely depicts a king and was crafted in the 14th-15th century C.E. These sculptures challenged Western perceptions of African art with their realism and craftsmanship. The Ife heads are distinctively naturalistic, possibly the work of a single artist or workshop.

Made of copper alloy, described as "heavily leaded zinc-brass," the Ife Head exemplifies West African craftsmanship. It was created using the lost wax technique, standing at approximately 35 cm tall. The lifelike features include incised striations on the face and a complex crown adorned with beads and tassels, topped by a crest. Excavations in Igbo-Ukwu in 1959 revealed a longstanding metalworking culture in the region, dating back to the ninth or tenth centuries.