Carved head of historical Queen Idia of Benin by Ben U. Aye, 12"H. Ben U. Aye was a very skilled wood carver from the mid 20th century. He was included and discussed in multiple magazine articles and catalogues pertaining to Nigerian arts and some of his work was included in the official opening of the National Gallery of Modern Art in Lagos, Nigeria.He is referenced in the following magazine article and museum catalogue.Wangboje, Solomon Irein, 1930- "Western impact on Nigerian arts," Nigeria magazine (Lagos) nos. 122/123: 100­112, 1977. illus. DT515.A1N68 AFA.Nucleus: a catalogue of works in the national collection on the inception of the National Gallery of Modern Art. Lagos: Federal Department of Culture, 1981. 115pp. chiefly illus. (pt. color). N3885.L3N96 AFA. OCLC 10825239.