collection of Jacob Epstein (1880–1959);
collection of A. Schwarz, Amsterdam;
at auction, Sotheby's London, 8 July 1980;
when bought by the Australian National Gallery, Canberra, July 1980
The collecting history of this work of art is partial. Its location and ownership are unknown between its creation and entering Epstein's collection. The National Gallery of Australia welcomes further information regarding its history of ownership prior to 1980.
Arts Council of Great Britain, London 1967; Zurich 1970;
In Our Own Image: Figurative Sculpture from the National Gallery of Australia [NGA Travelling Exhibition], 27 April 1994–23 June 1995;
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, December
Felix von Luschan, Die Altertümer von Benin, Berlin and Leipzig: De Gruyter 1919 (reprinted New York: Hacker Art Books 1968), vol.3, rf pl.57, illus. b&w as ‘koepfe von kindren’;
Akitola Akpata, ‘Benin: notes on altars and bronze heads’ and ‘Bronze head and ring: A suggestion,’ Ethnologia Cramoresis #1, 1937;
Elsy Leuzinger, The Art of Black Africa London: Studio Vista 1972, K29, pp.168–69, illus. b&w, as ‘collection: A Schwartz, Amsterdam’;
Eliot Elisofun and William Fagg, The Sculpture of Africa, New York: Hacker Art Books 1958 (reprinted 1978), cat.158–59, illus. b&w p.127 as ‘Memorial head’ and p.255 as ‘J J Klejman Gallery, New York’;
Works of Art from Benin, Sotheby’s, London, 16 June 1980, lot 9, pp.24–25, illus.;
Ekpo Eyo and Frank Willett, Treasures of ancient Nigeria, New York: Knopf 1980