The Ancestral Guardian

Crafting the sacred ceremonial headdress from natural palm-beeswax mixture over a refractory clay core.

“The proportion of the coral crown requires three layers of cooling wax before the lost-wax investment shell can be poured.”— Chidinma Obi (Audio / Studio Transcription)

The fired clay mold is evacuated in the pit kiln, and molten bronze alloy is channeled into the void.

“We invoked Ogun blessings before the pour. The metal flowed uninterrupted into the delicate ear pendants.”— Chidinma Obi (Audio / Studio Transcription)

Removing investment sprues, detailed surface chisel engraving, and applying warm organic camwood oil patina.

“Final rubdown complete. The deep bronze reflects the reddish luster of ancestral Benin cast works.”— Chidinma Obi (Audio / Studio Transcription)