National museum of african art african mosaic masks. Collectively, the objects form the best known examples of benin art, created from the thirteenth century onwards, by the edo people, which also included other sculptures in brass or bronze, including some famous portrait. The history of this mask dates back to more than 500 years ago. Taotie, monster mask commonly found on ancient chinese ritual bronze. Each original piece goes through a certification process to guarantee best value and premium quality. In appreciation, he created the title of iyoba queen mother and commissioned the mask. The republic of benin was one of the shortestlived countries in history. Dec 04, 2007 the ancient kingdom of benin which was located in what is now nigeria. A glimpse of a thriving ancient civilisation, these resources include information on the bronze plaques and art of benin, gallery activities to engage students and a guide for teachers, featuring primary history schemes of work.
The representations of these objects served above all to exalt the king, the queen. Occasionally, a brass head was surmounted by a carved ivory tusk engraved with a procession of different obas. Therefore, many wooden works of art from the past have been destroyed. The mudfish are also one of the symbols relating to the oba or. The history of african masks you may have never heard of. It is one of four related ivory pendant masks, that were among the prized regalia of the oba of benin, among the prestige items taken by the british during the punitive expedition of 1897. Primitive art has become world culture, and the benin bronzes stands as evidence of a shared human history. The contrast with performance masks is not always clearcut.
We cant rewrite the bloody history of the benin bronzes capx. These masks were associated with different kinds of rituals and ceremonies and were an integral part of the tribal culture. The three main languages are yoruba, hausa, and igbo and the official language is english. The palace of benin is the center of ritual activity focused on the wellbeing and prosperity of the edo peoples. Mar 04, 2016 we cant rewrite the bloody history of the benin bronzes. We welcome any suggestions or questions that you do have about our crafts or our website. Queen idia was the mother of oba esigie, one of the strongest kings of the great benin kingdom. The beard shows the typical border of stylized mudfish represent prosperity, peace, wellbeing and fertility ben amos, 1976. At the end of the book theres a map pointing regions of masks origin. There are signs, like those, that can be seen in the horniman museum, that the world of art is in for a new movement. Its in the basement of the museum which houses african art. Benin ivory mask this 16th century ivory portrait of queen mother idia is among the met s most celebrated works. The existence of african masks can be traced as far back as the stone age. Traditional african masks national museum of ghana.
Bronze casting as an art of duty to oba unlike in many other cultures, the benin bronze art is a tradition established to serve the royal stool in very many and. The benin bronzes are a group of more than a thousand metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the kingdom of benin in what is now modernday nigeria. Oct 18, 2017 understanding their history is an essential part of appreciating their cultural, symbolic, and aesthetic value. These acts of violence give the loot of the benin bronzes a specific character and a special position in the history of african art. The queen idia mask was the chosen emblem for the festival of african arts and culture festac held in 1977 in lagos, nigeria. Benin bronze hip masks and benin oba commemorative heads. Traditional african masks the museum building was opened on 5 march 1957 as part of ghanas independence celebrations. This fascinating book presents the first cultural history and anthropology of the face across centuries, continents, and media. Benin bronze the story of bronze age from the year 1200. These items were subsequently meted down by highly talented individuals in benin city and created the benin bronzes. Face mask kaoglekrahn peoples, liberia late 19th century wood gift of brian and diane leyden, 200661 face mask igbo peoples, nigeria early to mid20th century. Courtney connolly bronzes of benin, igbo and the gold coast what others are saying dogon tribal masks this elephantmask with its long hood nose and large ears, is decorated with multicoloured beads, is characteristic of a bamileke secret society in west cameroon, to whom it is unique. Queen mother pendant mask iyoba edo peoples smarthistory. It is a warm morning, and all the inhabitants of lanta kope, a small village in southern benin, have gathered to attend the gelede festival, which takes place when the dry season ends and when the rains arrive.
The bamileke masks are made to the honor king fon and or important chiefs. There are so many of them so you can definitely observe and learn about trends and the outlook of masks in particular regions. Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups and over 510 languages. Hip masks masks such as this were worn by certain high ranking officials or chiefs in benin over a tie on the costume at the left hip.
African bronzes benin bronze 3 african bronzes and masks of benin. The heads were placed on the altars of kings, of brass caster corporation chiefs and dignitaries. Exploring cultural traditions art around the world finley, carol on. In some greek masks, the wide and open mouth of the mask contained a brass megaphone enabling the voice of the wearer to. Benin bronzes collection for sale benin bronze leopards. The features of many of the heads are exaggerated from natural proportions, with large ears, noses, and lips, which are shaped with great care.
There are sections for each continent, hundreds of colour photos, and a few words about the provence, history or. Exploring the history and artistry of african masks. Art and science in benin bronzes african arts, spring, 2004 by joseph nevadomsky its an interesting article on the issues of benin bronze objects. Exploring cultural traditions art around the world. Benin bronze mask the story of bronze age from the year 1200 the bronzes of benin are the outcome of a long tradition of bronze casting which can be traced back over more than two millennia to the ancient nok people, who lived on the plains of jos and the yoruba people who flourished between the 10th and. The idea is to get an idea of the nature of the display. It has a population of approximately 170,123,740 people. In obasekis view, the ife bronze heads are entirely different in their form and contents and do not share any functional or aesthetic relativity with the benin bronze heads.
From palaeothic times to the present, people have used masks to add power and. Queen mother pendant mask iyoba, 16th century, edo peoples, court of benin, nigeria, ivory, iron, copper, 23. Nigeria is the largest country in africa in terms of population. The piece is regarded as an object of power and is displayed during important rituals and ceremonies, to commemorate and celebrate the royal ancestors of the present fon. Bronze heads, leopards, masks, plaques and other unique sculptures are produced using the most basic of tools by these talented casters.
African bronzes, masks and art from the people of benin. Bamileke tribal mask history cameroon western grassland. A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance. The benin bronzes consist of several thousand commemorative plaques and sculptures that were made of brass of variable composition despite being called bronzes. Apr 23, 2017 there is a bronze head of queen idia from ancient benin that was also found in the expedition of 1897. Masks were an important part of the tradition of different african tribes. Throughout history and across the globe, most masks have served to disguise, cloak or alter. The lady with the brooding hollow eyes the ivory mask from benin is everywhere. At the same year, it was presented to the british museum by sir william ingram. Out of these 3 books spirits speak has the biggest collection of wellmade and detailed fullcolor photos. Benin bronze mask the story of bronze age from the year 1200 the bronzes of benin are the outcome of a long tradition of bronze casting which can be traced back over more than two millennia to the ancient nok people, who lived on the plains of jos and the yoruba people who flourished between the 10th and the 19th centuries in the south and west of nigeria. Not to be confused with the modern day state of benin. Jun 19, 20 this is not a particularly good vdo but hey.
Arte tribal tribal art african masks african art bronze black history art history afro sculpture head more than a century ago, british troops looted thousands of works of art from the benin empire one man decided to return his grandfathers loot. Royal arts of a west african kingdom art institute. European attitudes towards benin bronzes uk essays. The bronzes of benin are the outcome of a long tradition of bronze casting which can be traced back over more than two millennia to the ancient nok people, who lived on the plains of jos and the yoruba people who flourished between the 10th and the 19th centuries in the south and west of nigeria. The benin bronzes are actually made of brass and not bronze. Objects of art are a misguided target for those truly concerned about social justice. They also throw light on the colonial mentality and system, and the structural violence it implied.
Masks are also familiar as pieces of kit associated with practical functions, usually protective. According to this account, the ooni of ife sent his son, ezohe to benin at the request of oba oguola, with the purpose of assisting with the development of bronze casting in bini land. The benin bronzes are more naturalistic than most african art of the period. The sculptures students would like to see returned to nigeria were created from the proceeds of slavery. The numerous commemorative brass heads, cast by benin metalworkers were created for the royal palace. Uncover the famous bronzes from the royal palace in benin. There has been a proliferation of such masks recently but there is a long history of protective armour and even medical masks to ward off plague. Read more about the benin bronzes and order your bronze. African bronzes, masks and art from the people of benin african bronzes, masks and art from the people of benin buy genuine handmade african masks, african bronzes, and tribal art from the people of the republic of benin. Shop unique, awardwinning artisan treasures by novica, the impact marketplace. The bronze surfaces are designed to highlight contrasts between light and metal. Benin bronze mask the story of bronze age from the year 1200. For thousands of years, african people have incorporated tribal masks into their cultural ceremonies, rituals, and celebrations. We only sell top quality african arts and crafts that have been handcrafted from some of the most talented african artist that can be found.
She helped him in conquering his enemies and saving the kingdom from collapse. Benin bronze and ivory hip masks rand african art home page. These sculptures and these representations are unique pieces, which go beyond the obvious decorative purposes, constituting an opportunity to start or complete a collection. Each year the oba king of benin performs in rituals in which he honors his royal ancestors to enhance the good fortunes of his people. Some of the existing african art pieces now in europe and america may be only a few decades or a century old. Often, copies are made available of valuable pieces so that the form and design will not be lost. The benin bronzes is the name given to a group of artifacts produced by the benin empire, which occupied the area which is today nigeria. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. The benin ivory mask is a sculptural portrait of the queen. Another account has it that the bronze casting as practised in benin originated from the oyo kingdom and ife in yorubaland. Ritual and ceremonial masks are an essential feature of the traditional culture and art of the peoples of subsaharan and west africa. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
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