Table of Contents
What African kingdom was known for its copper and bronze sculptures?
Sculpture. The artists of Ife developed a refined and highly naturalistic sculptural tradition in stone, terracotta, brass and copper and created a style unlike anything in Africa at the time.
Where were the Benin Bronzes made?
Nigeria
The works known as the Benin Bronzes were made over 600 years in the Kingdom of Benin – now in modern-day Nigeria. Although frequently discussed as a group, their production would have depended on many unknown artists, and a highly complex making process.
Who introduced bronze casting techniques to Ife?
Oni Obalufon II
Many Ife heads have been found in the burial compound of Oni Obalufon II, who ruled some time between 1100 and 1400. Obalufon was said to have invented Ife’s casting technique, and it is thought that the heads were originally housed in a shrine dedicated to him. There are two styles of Ife heads.
Where was Benin found?
Benin art is the art from the Kingdom of Benin or Edo Empire (1440–1897), a pre-colonial African state located in what is now known as the Southern region of Nigeria.
How many institutions from the United States have some of the Benin Bronzes?
US. Benin artefacts are scattered between 38 US institutions, which have been largely absent from the restitution debate until now.
When was the first African sculpture made?
It was probably made in the fourteenth-fifteenth century C.E.. The realism and sophisticated craftsmanship of the objects challenged Western conceptions of African art.
What is the significance of the bronze head from Ife?
The Bronze Head from Ife, or Ife Head, is one of eighteen copper alloy sculptures that were unearthed in 1938 at Ife in Nigeria, the religious and former royal centre of the Yoruba people. It is believed to represent a king.
How did the Yoruba get to Europe?
The Yoruba were connected via trade routes to Northern Africa and the Mediterranean culture, including that of Andalusia and North-eastern Africa. Trade also involved gold, of which West African states and local regional powers were great suppliers to Europe.
What is the significance of Ife in Yoruba mythology?
The human figures portray a wide cross-section of Ife society and include depictions of youth and old age, health and disease, suffering and serenity. According to Yoruba myth, Ife was the center of the creation of the world and all mankind. Ife was home to many sacred groves located in the city’s forests.