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 techniquesObjects include bronze pendants, bowls, and shells

With 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

Globular ceramic vessel with everted rim, Igbo Ukwu, Nigeria9th Century (1100 BP), Terracotta, h. 40.6 cm

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 naturalismStriation 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.

Ceremonial vessel with female formIfe (Yoruba) NigeriaLeaded brass900-800 BP (11th/12th Century)

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 BeninFound in southwestern Nigeria

-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

Leopards, Bronze, Benin, Nigeria, late periodEvoking the metaphoric powers of the ruler

Stool with mudfish motif, bronze, Benin, Nigeria, Late PeriodMetaphor of transformation, survival and continuity

British Marines displaying their loot after the sack of Benin, 1897

Mask,Ivory,16th centuryBeninFestac 77