Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Carved African terracotta pot
Art is an integral feature in defining a culture and all the mysteries, diversity and complexities of Africa can be found in their artistic expression. Terracotta sculptural figures and heads were discovered from the Nok culture of Nigeria dating back to 500 BC and they demonstrated a strong abstract figural interpretation in their art. The Kongo people and the Sherbro from Sierra Leone were famous for their stone sculptures while the Benin were known for their ivory carving. The origin of the bronze casting tradition began with the Igbo-Ukwu tribe of Nigeria around the 9th century AD and reached its pinnacle with the Ife people from Yoruba.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Malangatana Valente Nguenha
As various African kingdoms accumulated riches through trade of gold, agriculture, precious stones, cloth and other goods, the health and appearance of their rulers were considered to be an important metaphor for their kingdoms strength and stability. Ceremonial occasions were a demonstration of splendor and power and the wealthy kingdoms were active patrons of the arts and had their own guilds of exclusive artists. Precious works of art were commissioned for personal and devotional use. The court of Benin ( Nigeria ) exemplifies this and many exquisite pieces in the form of masks, sculptures and jewelery were created. Other artists, outside the court, sometimes recreated these pieces, especially the carved sculptures, for commercial trading.
The shamans and power association leaders of a tribe cultivated the ability to wield natural resources and spiritual energies through their masks, sculptures and performances, where their understanding of plants, animals and spirituality were on display. Organic and inorganic materials such as flora, feathers, horns, porcupine quills, herbs and other elements became incorporated into their arts by adding them to their masks and sculptures.
The acquisition and maintenance of masks, sculptures, and other artistic symbols of power constituted a significant part of a specialists’ training. The artistry was usually shrouded in secrecy including the materials used and the identity of the artist, who were held in high regard for their skill and reverence.
The aristocracy and attendants wore pendants and carried objects bearing symbols of political and spiritual power. For most of the African kingdoms, the royal families and their ancestors were venerated in the form of brass cast and wood carved statues which were displayed on royal alters.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A mask from Cameroon Savannah - Bamileke master Bamendjo
Nineteenth century, Rietberg Museum
Recognizable for their imposing forms with swollen cheeks and plump, big eyes. These masks were worn on the head like a crown. They were invested with a crucial role during the commemorations and the election of the king.
—
African art has been a dynamic source of inspiration for numerous Western artists. The highly stylized treatment of the human figure in African sculptures had a direct input into the development of the avant garde movements of the modern art of Matisee and Picasso and the painting styles of post-Impressionists Cézanne and Gauguin. Modernist artists were drawn to African sculpture and art because of its sophisticated approach to the abstraction of the human form. Modigliani made sketches of the elongated heart shaped faces of Baule masks and this became an influence in some of his sculptures and paintings. Likewise Constantin Brancusi, Modigliani’s friend, introduced stylized elements into his sculptures. Picasso claimed that African sculptures had helped him to understand his purpose as a painter, which was not to entertain with decorative images, but to mediate between perceived reality and the creativity of the human mind—to be freed, or “exorcised,” from fear of the unknown by giving form to it.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Dogon sculptures, Bandiagara Hills, Mali – Africa
The figure in the foreground is attributed to the ‘Master of the Ogol’
Dallas Museum of Art
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Stylized Cameroonian Woman sculpture with beads
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Anthropomorphic bark box, depicting the women’s headdress and cranial modification achieved by binding the heads of babies among the Mangbetu
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Handpainted ceramic pot from Zimbabwe – livingstoneart.be
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A staff used by devotees of Shango, the Yoruba orisha of thunder and lightning, carried in dancing rituals.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Idoma wooden multiple faced Ungulali headdress, Nigeria
20th century
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
An Ashanti gold pendant in the form of a stylized head. - Ghana
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Wooden complex–Nigeria 20th century
British Museum
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Ivory Coast sculpture of a Senufo seated female figure surmounted by a bowl and a bird
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bonnie Ntshalishali lidded vessel for Ardmore, ZA
\
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie, was granted the right to establish her own palace and ancestral altars as a reward for using her mystic powers to assist in victory in Benin’s war against the Igala.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Brass weight for weighing gold dust in the form of a horse and rider
Ghana
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
South African- Mulondo Water Vessel,
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
An anthropomorphic soapstone carving from an ancient site of Great Zimbabwe
British Museum, London
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Small polychrome pottery Ideqqi – Berbers – North Africa
Geometric patterns that adorn the pottery made by Maghreb women – found on textiles and female tattoos – carry out a symbolic meaning which dates back to Neolithic times.
bruno-mignot.com
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Burkina Faso—Nuna ceramic storage jar
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Shona sculpture Protective Mother - Patrick Fredy, Zimbabwe
Masengo Gallery
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
African Senufo Ceremonial Drum-(Pinge)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Nigerian artist Sokari Douglas Camp bronze sculpture of Chief Aramchree
contempafricanart.com
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Chiefs stool supported by kneeling woman, attributed to the master carver of his workshop, known as Master of Buli. Democratic Republic of Congo
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Dancing Figure – Nigerian sculptor Benedict Enwonwu
( Afro Au Go Go }
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mwana Pwo dance mask, regarded as an idealised depiction of a beautiful young girl, showing facial scarification
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
African terracotta pot
Dick Jemison Tribal Art Collections
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Ethiopian lidded string jar
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mali Face Mask, Late 19th early 20th-century
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Yoruba female Figure with Rooster Offering Bowl (Olumeye),
Late 19th early 20th century, Nigeria
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Tembe Folk Art Gourd, South Africa / Mozambique
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Hennie Meyer pitcher
Afrikana Gallery
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Ivory Coast carving of a woman with a pot
Barbier Mueller Museum, Geneva.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Large Abuja stoneware water pot by Ladi Kwali
Nigeria -circa 1960
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sakoto terracotta sculpture – African Tribal art
Louvre
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Louvre Paris- Tribal Art
Denver Rand Flickr
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A marionette representing an idealised female beauty, used in the puppet plays performed by Bamana youths in Mali
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
African terracotta head sculpture
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Ngady Amwaash Mask, Late -19th mid 20th century – Kuba
Art Institute Chicgo – Collections
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Michael Cardew and Henry Bergen – large Bowl
1935
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Marka dance mask – Mali
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
O Enigma - Malangatana Valente Nguenha
2002
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mask for Sande Society (Ndoli-Jowei), Early mid 20th century
Sierra Leone
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mbolo Twin Mask – Baule peoples of the Ivory Coast
( Met NY )
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mwana Pwo Dance Mask, Late 19th early 20th century, Congo Chokwe
Art Institute Chicgo – Collections
Mwana Pwo, an archetypal female ancestor, asymbolizing fecundity and the prominent role of women in a matrilineal society.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Nok terracotta bust of a woman
Nigeria,
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Osun Shrine Jar,-Early mid 20th century
Yoruba Nigeria
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Pendant Mask: Iyoba, 16th century
Nigeria; Edo, Court of Benin
( Met NY )
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Christian processional Cross, Mid-late 15th century – Ethiopia
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Prestige drinking vessel in the form of a head.
Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
( Werner Foreman Archive )
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Statue in botanical gardens,-Capetown SA
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mangbetu terracota sculpture vessel
Democratic Republic Congo
bruno-mignot.com
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bruno Sserunkuuma—Ceramic Vessel
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Brass head with a beaded crown and plume, Ife, Nigeria
14th-15th Century
British Museum
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Bronze figure of a hornblower, Benin, Africa
Late 16th century
British Museum
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Africa carved wooden cup
British Museum
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Democratic Republic of Congo bottle
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Mali Bambara wood carved statue with a face on each side.
height 37 inches
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Yombe maternity figure – Phemba 12″ tall
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A pair of Yoruba Ibeji figures
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Lady Hands by Rufaro Ngoma
Zimbabwe Shona Stone Sculpture
http://african-artisans.co.uk/
Africa arts odyssey is a post from: Ceramics & Pottery Arts & Resources
The post Africa arts odyssey appeared first on Ceramics and Pottery Arts and Resources.