Art from the African continent 18th cent. – Present Day
Royal Tusk, Unknown, c. 1750, From the collection of: Minneapolis Institute of Art
This tusk may have come from the altar of a nobleman in Benin. The carved images on the tusk depict an episode in Benin folklore and includes images such as leopards, Portuguese soldiers, and members of the Oba’s special guard.
Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri), Master of Ntem, 1750-1860, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Wooden sculptures such as this one served guardians to protect relics from evil spirits. Also known as bieri.
Zoomorphic mask, Unknown, Before 1830, From the collection of: Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac
The style of this zoomorphic mask is reminiscent of those made centuries before, with geometric patterning and stylized animals. Dancing masks were used in initiation ceremonies as well as funerals.
Hogon equestrian statue, Dogon people, 19th century or earlier, From the collection of: The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
This figure may represent a hogon, a semi-divine leader of great wisdom. In pose and attributes, it is highly reminiscent of horsemen made by the Jenné people.
Funerary Headdress (Tugunga), Unknown, late 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Masks were commonly made specifically for funeral ceremonies. Each mask had a persona that the wearer would assume during performances.
Male Reliquary Guardian Figure, Artist/maker unknown, African, Gabon, Fang, Mid- 19th century, From the collection of: Philadelphia Museum of Art
With the short fringe on the face, it is possible this figure represents an elderly man. Like most reliquary figures, it has a long neck and muscled arms and legs.
Divination Object (Gle), Unknown, late 19th or early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Many African peoples consulted diviners about problems. Diviners used numerous objects to determine the best path. This object gives the appearance of a bird head.
Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi), Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Nkisi are objects that harness spirit forces or powers. Nkisi Nkondi are a specific type of nkisi and could be used in private or public functions. Diviners drove in nails or added plants to it to invoke the spirit.
Side-Blown Horn (Mpungi) or (Kithenda), Unknown, 19th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Unlike European horns, the mouth of African horns were typically carved in the side instead of the small end. It would have served as a musical instrument.
Dean Gle Mask, Unknown, late 19th-early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
This wooden mask would have had other adornments, such as attachments on the rim of the mask (evident by the piercings) and possibly metal teeth.
Helmet Mask (ndoli jowei) for Sande Society, Nguabu Master, late 19th-early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Young women entering the Sande society (of older women) wore black masks at their initiation ceremony.
Power Figure (Nkishi), Unknown, late 19th or early 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Diviners prescribed medicinal ingredients (bilongo) and added them to nkisi figures to aid in clients’ problems. Bilongo were probably inserted into a body cavity in this particular nkisi.
Epa Helmet Mask: Iyabeji (Mother of Twins), Youruba people, Ekiti subgroup, late 19th century-early 20th century, From the collection of: The Toledo Museum of Art
A wooden sculpture depicting the sacredness of twins in the Yoruba culture. Such masks were well cared for by the families that commissioned them.
Female Twin Figure (ere ibeji), Yoruba, late 19th or early 20th century, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Ibeji figures represent health and well-being. Often they are decorated with elaborate hairstyles and scarification. They stood for hope in the future, survival and prosperity.
Male Spirit Spouse (blolo bian), Baulé, early 20th century, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Some African people believed that everyone had a spirit spouse in a previous life. Figures showed off the most desirable marks of beauty, decorated with scarification and jewelry.
Female figure ("Blolo bla"), Unknown, Baule peoples, 20th century, From the collection of: Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University
This female figure has an elongated neck, muscular limbs, a large head, and the knotted hairstyle that is typical of many African figures.This is the female counterpart to blolo bian (male figures).
Linguist (Okyeame) Staff, Unknown, 20th century, From the collection of: Brooklyn Museum
Staffs were carried by important leaders; some counselors called Okyeame held such scepters. This staff is covered entirely in gold leaf and is topped with a cat and mouse.
Counselor's Staff with Leopard Finial (Okyeame Poma), Unknown, 20th century, From the collection of: North Carolina Museum of Art
Leopards were symbolic of power, which leads to assume the Okyeame who held this staff was very wise and powerful. Okyeame served as spokesmen or counselors.
Palace Door, Arowogun (Areogun) of Osi, early 20th century, From the collection of: Minneapolis Institute of Art
A door panel from the royal palace at Ise. Carved relief figures face out to the viewer, and the door was once brightly painted, but the paint quickly wore off. The panel commemorates the king of Ise receiving Major Reeve-Tucker.
Twin Figures (ere ibeji), Yoruba, second quarter of 20th century, From the collection of: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Male and female twin set. If an infant twin passed away, the family might commission a figure for the twin's soul to reside in. Such a statue was treated like an actual child.
Bwami Society Maskette, Artist Unknown, African, Lega Peoples Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1900/1975, From the collection of: University of Michigan Museum of Art
Among the Lega people, tiny masks were used to pass political and religious knowledge down generations. They were too small to wear on the face; instead they were attached to the thigh or held in the palm of one’s hand.
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