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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 includes prehistoric and ancient art, the Islamic art of West Africa, the Christian art of East Africa, and the traditional artifacts of these, and other regions. Many African sculptures were historically made of wood and other natural materials that have not survived from earlier than a few centuries ago, although rare older ...
Central Zimbabwe contains the "Great Dyke" – a source of serpentine rocks of many types including a hard variety locally called springstone.An early precolonial culture of Shona peoples settled the high plateau around 900 AD and “Great Zimbabwe”, which dates from about 1250–1450 AD, was a stone-walled town showing evidence in its archaeology of skilled stone working.
The Ife Empire was the earliest of these; It had cultural influence over the Oyo, Owo, and Benin kingdoms, whos's royal courts are said to have learned their art from Ife masters. Early art-historical and archaeological records reinforce these strong affiliations with Ife culture as far back as the 14th century. [4]
Olowe of Ise (Yoruba: Ọlọ́wẹ̀ of Ìsẹ̀; c. 1873 – c. 1938) [1] [2] is considered by Western art historians and collectors to be one of the most important 20th century artists of the Yoruba people of what is today Nigeria. [3] [4] [5] He was a wood sculptor and master innovator in the African style of design known as oju-ona.
Although it is not clear when the convention of weights were first introduced, scholars suggest that the Akan first traded gold with Muslim merchants from the West African interior, long before European contact. Their weight system corresponds to the Islamic weight system of North Africa, and appear to be part of early sub-Saharan trade. [2]