Commemorative heads such as this one functioned as either trophies representing a particularly dangerous conquered enemy or memorials to an important ancestor. Within the political hierarchy of the Kingdom of Benin, ritual objects made of brass and ivory were reserved for royalty. Ordinary people were commemorated with sculptures made of wood or clay. Two sculptural details suggest that this work was created to commemorate a high-ranking titleholder or an especially loyal chief: the projection at the side of the head, which represents a feather, and the rings at the neck, which represent a coral collar. Both are status symbols worn only with permission from the king.