sculptures of ancient nigeria : nok, igbo ukwu, ife, benin (edo-bini) 2500 bp (500 bc) –1897 ad
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Sculptures of Ancient Nigeria:
Nok, Igbo Ukwu, Ife, Benin (Edo-Bini)
2500 BP (500 BC) –1897 AD
Map of Nigeria depicting the ancient culture areas
Conceptual basis of African Art
Visual Metaphors
Emotional & Social Proportions
Head—site of spirituality and personality
Nok: the birth of Art in Africa
Oldest sculpture in Africa south of the SaharaDates back 2500 BP—500 BCE
Located on the plateauIn North central Nigeria
Characteristics:- Fairly naturalistic life size cylindrical heads and figures
-Semi circular/triangular eyes-Flared nostrils
-Pierced eyes, nose, mouth and ears-Elaborate coiffure
The Dinya HeadNok, Nigeriac. 500 BC – AD 200( 2500 – 1800 BP )Terracotta36 x 22.5 cm
Warrior FigureNok, NigeriaTerracotta88 x 23 x 20 cm
Head of a Bearded Man,Nok (Sokoto)Terracotta,2300BP
Amulet statuette,Nok, NigeriaTerracotta,2350 BP,h. 5.5 in
Kneeling male figure,Nok, NigeriaTerracotta65.5 x 19 x 23 cm
Based on style elements object might haveFunctioned as finials on rooftops
Human/Bird CompositeBirdman,Nok, NigeriaTerracotta47 x 20 x 22 cm
Statue on bended knee with Elephant and Feline,Nok, Terracotta,2350 BP
Igbo Ukwu: Art of an ancient Aristocracy
Igbo Ukwu art comes from 3 Archaeological sites in southeastern Nigeria: Igbo Richard, Igbo Isaiah and Igbo Jonah
-consists of objects made from bronze, terracotta, beads and Ivory-metal objects were made by the lost wax technique
-they are believed to date to around 1100 BP(900 AD)
-objects discovered in ancient burial chambers, shrines and storage areas-made by sophisticated bronze casting techniques
Objects include bronze pendants, bowls, and shellsWith skeuomorphic ornamentations
Caroline Sasson’s rendering of the burial chamber of Igbo Richard, Depicting the priest-king,Igbo Ukwu,Water color,
Artistic rendering of the storage houseFrom Igbo Isaiah, depicting some of the sacred objects on an altar
Roped Vessel on a stand,Igbo Ukwu,Leaded bronze,1100 BP (900AD)
Staff finial or flywhisk handleWith an equestrian motif,Igbo Ukwu, Nigeria9th century (1100 BP)Bronzeh. 15.7 cm (6 3/16 in.)
Emotional/social proportion
Head Pendant Igbo Ukwu, Nigeria9th Century (1100 BP)Bronzeh. 7.6 cmKeloid like patterns on the faceare marks of distinction and identity
Triton shell, Igbo Ukwu, Nigeria, Bronze, 1100 BPSkeuomorphic image of a snail shell
Ife: origin of Art and Life
Ife: Origins of Art and Civilization
Art consists of objects in Terracotta, Leaded Brass, & Stone--objects date to 1000-500 BP (1000-1500AD)
-art created for the ruling elite
Style elements:
Idealized naturalismStriations on the face
Slightly elongated necks, with rolls of fatCareful modeling
Heavily beaded figures with elaborate headdressesFull length figures and busts
Group of stylized abstract heads representing, inner spiritual head--site of personalityYoruba, (Ita Yemoo, Ife) Nigeria, terracotta, h. 13 cm(5 in); 19 cm(7.1/2 in); 16.5 cm (61/2 in) 16 cm (6 3/8 in)
Ooni (Ruler),Yoruba, (Ita Yemoo, Ife) Nigeria12th -13th century (800-700 BP)Zinc brass (leaded brass)47.1 x 17.3 x 16.3 cmAppro. h. 18 3/8 in
Idealized naturalismEmotional proportion
Lajuwa, royal usurperTerra-cotta,Ife, Yoruba, 12/15th cent.(odo) Ephebism: relative youthfulness
Head,Yoruba (Ife), Nigeria12th-15th century (700-500 BP)Zinc brass (leaded brass)31 x 9.5 cm
Mask HeadYoruba (Ife) Nigeria12th-15th century (700-500 BP)Copper, 33 x 19 cm (13 in)
Seated figure,Yoruba, (Tada) Nigeria13th-14th Century (700-600 BP),Copper55. 7 x 34.4 x 36 cmh. 21 9/10 in.
Crowned Head of a Ruler,Ife, NigeriaZinc Brass,800-500 BP (12th-15th cent.)
Leo Frobenius assumed this was Greek Poseidon or Roman NeptuneWhich belonged to the famed Atlantis
Benin: foundation, zenith and demise
1450-1897
Oranmiyan, Eweka Dynasty
The Royal Art of Benin
-Objects consist of commemorative busts and ritual items for members of the royal family
Vast majority of art made in bronze, terracotta, and ivory
Early Period (Warrior Kings 1450-1575 i.e 600-400 B.P )Middle Period (Plaque Period, 1575-1700 i.e 400-300 B.P )
Late Period (Restoration Period 1700-1897 i.e 300-100 B.P )
Style ElementsThin castings,
Busts depict beaded collarsDelicately rendered features
Careful attention to details, in terms of surface ornamentationBust of Kings and Queen-mothers
Plaques, animal imagery etc
Head of Oba,Benin, Nigeria,Brass and iron, early period, (500-400 BP)8.25 in. (21 cm)
Head of an Oba,Late Period,Bronze, 18 in.
Head of a Queen Mother,Benin, Nigeria16th century (400 BP)Brassh. 35 cm
Warrior Chiefs, Bronze Plaque, 400-300 B.P, 18.7/8 in
Plaque of warrior chiefs, Benin, Nigeria, 16th century (400 BP), brass 50 x 37 cmSocial proportion--hierarchy
Portuguese Soldier,Plaque Period,Bronze
Palace Messenger,Bronze, Benin, NigeriaLate period
British Marines displaying their loot after the sack of Benin, 1897
Mask of Queen Idah,Ivory,16th centuryBeninFestac 77