Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Mask from Gabon Two Chiwara c. late 19th early 20th centuries, Art Institute of Chicago.Female (left) and male, vertical styles. Most African sculpture from regions south of the Sahara was historically made of wood and other organic materials that have not survived from earlier than a few centuries ago, while older pottery figures are found from a number of areas.
[50] According to Grohs,but the numerous illustrations also served commercial purposes, as the depiction of African art in catalogues considerably increased the value of a sculpture on the fine art market. [51] Overall, Grohs believes that the current interest in African art is determined by the public interest in Europe and America.
The metal pieces were made using lost-wax casting and are considered among the best African sculptures made using this technique. [21] Benin began to trade ivory, pepper, and slaves [ 22 ] with the Portuguese in the late 15th century and incorporated the use of manillas (brass ingots in the form of bracelets, bought from the Portuguese) as a ...
African art is produced using a wide range of materials and takes many distinct shapes. Because wood is a prevalent material, wood sculptures make up the majority of African art. Other materials used in creating African art include clay soil. Jewelry is a popular art form used to indicate rank, affiliation with a group, or purely aesthetics. [17]
Sao artifacts show that they were skilled workers in bronze, copper, and iron. [4] Finds include bronze sculptures and terracotta statues of human and animal figures, coins, funerary urns, household utensils, jewelry, highly decorated pottery, and spears. [5] The largest Sao archaeological finds have occurred south of Lake Chad. [citation needed]
Whether the original statues were intended to be purely ornamental or also served a ritual function is also debated by anthropologists. [ 5 ] Among the notable artists who worked in the style was the Nigerian Thomas Ona Odulate ( fl. 1900-50) whose works are widely exhibited in museums in the United States and Europe.
Like most West African "bronzes" the piece is actually made of copper alloyed with other metals, described by the British Museum as "heavily leaded zinc-brass".Modern practice in museums and archaeology is increasingly to avoid terms such as bronze or brass for historical objects in favour of the all-embracing "copper alloy". [4]
From the Kerma culture (2500–1500 BCE), the seat of one of the earliest civilizations of ancient Africa, weapons, items of pottery and other household objects are presented in museums such as the National Museum of Sudan, Kerma Museum, British Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston [7] and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.