Incised Ochre Plaque, Blombos Cave, South Africa, c. 7,000 BCE

Cattle being tended, detail from rock wall painting, Algeria, c. 5000-2000 BCE

Bird Head, date unknown

Papua New Guinea, reportedly found in the Morobe district

Stone, pigment; H. 4 1/4 in.

Yoruba

Large West African ethnic group, mostly in Nigeria

Ife: Yoruban city from 600 BCE

Major artistic center in 700 CE production of lost wax copper/brass heads in 11th century

HEAD OF A KING Ife, Yoruba, c. 13th century, zinc brass

Head of a King, Ita Yemoo, Ile Ife, Copper Alloy

Large head: held "Ase" (inner power, energy)

"Idealized Naturalism": Naturalistic detail, but no blemishes

Contrast between inner spirituality in abstract form, outer physicality shown through realism

Yoruba

"Ibeji Figures”

Mother adorns statue in cloth & jewelry, offers it food & prayers, and performs elaborate rituals

Head 1/3 size of body

Stylized features, smooth surface

The city of Ife greatly influenced the city-state of Benin, which was located 150 miles southeast of Ife and would later become very influential.

first kings, or obas

1. Early Period (1400-1550) – smallest, most naturalistic heads, influenced by Ife

2. Middle Period (1550-1700) – Heavier, more stylized, more beads, hidden chin

3. Late period (1700-1897) – Large, heavy, angular and stylized features, elaborate beaded crown, tall cylindrical necklaces, small images carved into the base.

MEMORIAL HEAD OF AN OBA Edo people, Benin, c. 16th c, brass

Queen Mother Pendant Mask: Iyoba

16th centuryNigeria, Court of BeninEdo peoplesIvory, iron, copper (?)

WARRIOR CHIEF FLANKED BY WARRIORS AND ATTENDANTS Benin, Nigeria, Middle Period. c. 1550-1650 CE, brass

Head, Nok, c. 500 BCE- 200 CE, Terra cotta, present day Nigeria

iron technology in sub-Saharan Africa comes from Nok culture which arose in the western Sudan around 500BCE

"Male Figure," Nok Culture, Northern Nigeria, Terra-cotta, 195 BCE - 205 CE

Triangular eyes, pierced nose, ears, mouth, & eyesElaborate hairstyles, costumes, & beadwork

Realism in curled lips, straight nose, overhanging forehead

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfvS8ENVyJ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HI-uzonYMJ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEeu1gJED-4