Wholesale Iron Stylized "Asen" Figure on Base - Benin

An asen is a long iron bar topped with a round metal disk on top of which figures are placed that represent the life of the person which the asen is made to memorialize.  We don't know what this iron stylized figure, which would have adorned one such asen, could be. Is it a snake? Is it a stylized antelope? Whatever it is, it is extraordinary. Please take note of the photo of the full asen top to see how this object could have been arrayed, probably together with other objects, although on a much larger one. 5 1/8″ overall height x 7" overall length (13 x 18 cm); 5 1/8 x 1 7/8 x 7/16" base (13 x 5 x 1.1 cm)