This serene bicephalous piece is an Idoma headcrest, with unusually naturalistic faces. It is based upon a conical base with a single raised ridge, narrowing to a single neck which supports two heads. The faces are rounded, reminiscent in many respects of Grasslands forms, with protuberant eyes, smiling mouths and rounded brows. The hair is ornate; each figure’s hair is gathered into two panels, with columnar plaits hanging down on either side of each face. The patination is irregular and glossy, with minor use wear indicating considerable age.

The Idoma are an agriculturally-based society from the Benue area of Nigeria, and are descended from the semi-mythical Akpoko peoples. Items such as this belong to the Oglinye warrior society, and were especially used at public entertainments and funerals.