Kingdom of Ife

I didn't take these pictures (obviously) but I wanted to post something besides dead birds and share these beautiful images from an exhibit at the British Museum - the Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from West Africa.  Ife is an ancient Yoruba city in south-western Nigeria.

My concept of African art has been changed by the natural roundness and sensualness of the faces.  They are some of the earliest examples of realism in art, some sculptures dating from before the European Renaissance.

Crowned Head, 12th-14th century

copper alloy

Head with crown, 14th - early 15th century

copper alloy

Mask called "Obalufon", 14th-early 15th century

copper

Head with elaborate crown, 12th-15th century

terra-cotta

more info:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/all_current_exhibitions/kingdom_of_ife.aspx

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/feb/26/kingdom-of-ife-british-museum-review