The bronzes from Igbo-Ukwu have intricate designs and symbolism, and demonstrate technical virtuosity.
Nigeria
This large sculpture was made for Mami Wata, pidgin English for “Mother of Water," a charismatic being of great spiritual power celebrated in West and Central Africa and reimagined as deities such as La Sirene (Haitian Vodou) and Yemanjá (Candomblé and Umbanda) in Afro-Atlantic spiritual traditions.
“Mami Wata” figure, Igbo artist
This exceptional mask has a solid wooden core carved with two similar faces in opposing directions, often referred to as a Janus face.
Janus-Faced Headdress (Ejagham or Bale peoples)
These carved wooden figures have human faces but animal attributes, and reflected the achievements of their owners.
Ikenga (Igbo peoples)
This brass head clearly portrays a person of status and authority, possibly a king (ooni) of Ife
Head of a ruler, Ife
Twin figures known as Ère Ìbejì reveal how a Yorùbá mother navigates the loss of twins
Yorùbá artist, pair of twin figures (Ère ...
Royal patrons, artists, and power in the Kingdom of Benin.
Benin Art: Patrons, Artists and Current Controversies
The audience hall in the palace in Benin City communicated to visiting ambassadors, traders, courtiers, and subjects the power and wealth of the Oba, or king.
The Imagery of Power on Benin Bronze ...
The convention of elongating the figure can be seen in many of Olowe’s carvings, to visually highlight the importance of the head that holds the inner spiritual power, dignity and strength, and sacredness of one’s destiny.
Olowe of Ise, Veranda Post of Enthroned ...
How to impress your courtiers: a lesson from the Kingdom of Benin
Benin Plaques
This mask depicts the king’s mother, whose ruthless political prowess ensured that her son became king.
Benin ivory mask (Edo peoples)
The high rate of twining among the Yoruba peoples gave birth to a genre of spiritual objects for mourning parents.
Ere Ibeji Figures (Yoruba peoples)
This intricate ivory mask symbolizes the king’s dual nature as human and divine—and honors his mother.
Queen Mother Pendant Mask (Iyoba) (Edo peoples)
Little was known of the Ife civilization—that is until seventeen cast bronze heads were found by chance.
Ife uncovered
Ife’s refined and highly naturalistic sculptural tradition was unlike anything else in Africa at the time.
Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from West Africa
Benin’s brass-casting tradition combined West African smelting techniques with imported brass from Europe.
Benin and the Portuguese
The Benin bronzes created a stir, completely changing European understanding of African history.
The Kingdom of Benin
Offerings to these shrines were believed to contribute to the success of such male occupations
Shrine (Iphri) (Western Ijo peoples)
Nigerian independence inspired artists to develop a new national and artistic identity based on “natural synthesis.”
Uche Okeke
This plaque depicting the Oba (king) and his imperial retinue hung outside the palace, detailing dynastic history.
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