posted
Some of the finest works of art I've seen. The Binis and Yorubas were magnificent people. I am particularly interested in Yoruba mythology. Very comparable to Greek mythology.
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The Yoruba of South Western Africa (Benin Republic, Nigeria and Togo, also including parts of Ghana, Cameroon and Sierra Leone) are responsible for one of the oldest and finest artistic traditions in Africa, a tradition that remains vital and influential today.[1]
Much of the art of the Yoruba, including staffs, court dress, and beadwork for crowns, is associated with the royal courts. The courts also commissioned numerous architectural objects such as veranda posts, gates, and doors that are embellished with carvings. Other Yoruba art is related shrines and masking traditions. The Yoruba worship a large pantheon of deities, and shrines dedicated to these gods are adorned with carvings and house and array of altar figures and other ritual paraphernalia. Masking traditions vary regionally, and a wide range of mask types are employed in various festivals and celebrations
The importance of the head in Yoruba sculpture[edit]
The Yoruba people regard the human head (ori) as the most important part of a person. Likewise, the head is the most prominent part of Yoruba sculpture. An analysis of Yoruba ontology reveals that the Yoruba regard the head as the locus of the ase of Olodumare. Therefore, the head constitutes a person's life-source and controlling personality and destiny. Babatunde Lawal identifies three different modes of representing the head in Yoruba sculpture: "the naturalistic, which refers to the external, or physical head (ori ode); the stylized, which hints at the inner, or spiritual, head (ori inu); and the abstract, which symbolizes the primeval material (oke ipori) of which the inner head was made."[
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posted
If any of you have a chance to see this in person at a museum, do so. I did a year ago, and this is nothing compared to the real thing. Some of them are absolutely breath taking. One piece was a very old clothes chest used in Yorubaland. The detail was like nothing I had ever seen.
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Tukuler
multidisciplinary Black Scholar
Member # 19944
posted
Mena7 -- Thanks for posting!!
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posted
Ironlion nice comparing of Yoruba eagle with Roman eagle.
Yoruba god Odudua
Nigerian God Odudua
Brass helmet mask for the Ododua ritual.
The headdress on this bronze looks similar to Oka (Awka) women's head dresses
Oduduwa, Olofin Adimula, Emperor and First Suzerain of the Yoruba, was the Oba of Ile-Ife. His name, phonetically written by Yoruba language-speakers as Odùduwà and sometimes contracted as Odudua or Oòdua, is generally ascribed to the ancestral dynasty of Yorubaland due to the fact that he is held by the Yoruba to have been the ancestor of their numerous crowned kings.[1] Following his post-humous deification, he was admitted to the Yoruba pantheon as an aspect of a primordial divinity of the same name
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posted
wearing beads and not chain mail (maybe just an outfit for a war ceremony).
[IMG]wearing beads and not chain mail (maybe just an outfit for a war ceremony).[/IMG]
[IMG]wearing beads and not chain mail (maybe just an outfit for a war ceremony).[/IMG] Probably either a depiction of Oranmiyan of Ife/Oyo or of the Atta of Igala. Or it could be somebody else entirely.
[IMG]Probably either a depiction of Oranmiyan of Ife/Oyo or of the Atta of Igala. Or it could be somebody else entirely.[/IMG]
[IMG]Probably either a depiction of Oranmiyan of Ife/Oyo or of the Atta of Igala. Or it could be somebody else entirely.[/IMG]
[IMG]Probably either a depiction of Oranmiyan of Ife/Oyo or of the Atta of Igala. Or it could be somebody else entirely.[/IMG]
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Date: 1550–1680 Geography: Nigeria, Court of Benin Culture: Edo peoples Medium: Brass Dimensions: H. 24 13/16 x W. 11 9/16 x D. 6 3/4 in. (63 x 29.4 x 17.2 cm) Classification: Metal-Sculpture Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972 Accession Number: 1978.412.310
plaque which decorated the palace of the Obas. Benin warriors are depicted in battle. Country of Origin- Nigeria. Culture- Edo. Period- Probably late 17th century
Relief plaque showing a battle scene, Edo peoples, Benin kingdom, Nigeria, 1550-1650, Robert Owen Lehman Collection, Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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The deputy commander-in-chief of the Benin army was called the Ezomo. The Ezomo on this plaque is probably a man called Agban. In this plaque Ezomo Agban is wearing all his formal military clothes. From the position he is standing in we can guess that he is dancing a victory dance at the victory parade after defeating an enemy. Ezomo Agban was sent by Oba Orhogbua to stop a rebellion. The war lasted 2 years. Ezomo Agban returned to Benin City in triumph, bringing war booty and captured rebel chiefs."
[IMG]The deputy commander-in-chief of the Benin[/IMG]
[IMG]The deputy commander-in-chief of the Benin[/IMG]
The biggest figure on this plaque is the commander-in-chief of the Benin army (known as the Iyase). Ekpenede was the Iyase during Oba Orhogbua’s reign and he was married to the Oba’s daughter. Once the Iyase left Benin leading an army he could never go back. It made no difference whether the army won or lost. The Iyase Ekpenede is wearing all his formal military clothes and weapons. These protect his body in battle. He also wears a charmed bell so that the ancestors will protect him. The smaller figure is probably Iyase Ekpenede’s horn blower. He is also wearing all his formal military clothes. It seems that the horn is being blown to celebrate one of the Iyase’s victories."
[I'm not sure whether they got the materials (lead and brass) correct for the body armor. But who knows? They might be right. I've seen contrary statements about the material from other scholars, but obviously the Horniman museum has their sources as well. So obviously there is some confusion in this area.]
[IMG]The biggest figure on this plaque is the[/IMG]
[IMG]The biggest figure on this plaque is the[/IMG]
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Nigeria; Yoruba (Ife) peoples Oni figure Brass H. 47.1 cm (18 9/16") National Museum, Lagos, Nigeria, 79.R.12
Ife woman
Edo Queen Mother. Circa 1880. Benin. Bronze. A casting in honor of the Oba’s (King’s) mother, who had the same authority as that of senior town chiefs. 38w
Unknown Artist/Metalworker A Portuguese Man Edo, Court of Benin (c. 1590) Relief Plaque, Brass 48 x 30 cm. Afrika-Fachreferat am Ethnol...
Head 12th - 14th century, Yoruba culture, Africa, 12 1/4 x 5 3/4 x 7 1/4 in. What is known as Nigeria today, centuries ago there flourished a royal city of Ife. A distinctive sculptural style developed in this region during that time period. Portrait heads were created in terracotta or bronze that stood on royal shrines in the palace area. This sculptural head is unique with its delicate beauty and realism.
Benin Ivory Salt Cellar. Edo Peoples - Benin, Nigeria. 16th Century
Benin Bronze of Portuguese Solider, 16th century, (Boston Museum Gets Major Gift of African Art from Lehman Heir)
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