1. Igbo Ukwu

2. Map of Nigeria depicting the various ancient cultures

3. Igbo Richard, Igbo Isaiah and Igbo Jonah
Igbo Ukwu art comes from 3 Archaeological sites in southeastern Nigeria:
Igbo Richard, Igbo Isaiah and Igbo Jonah
-consists of objects made from bronze, terracotta, beads and Ivory
-metal objects were made by the lost wax technique
-they are believed to date to around 1100 BP(900 AD)
-objects discovered in ancient burial chambers, shrines and storage areas
-made by sophisticated bronze casting techniques
Objects include bronze pendants, bowls, and shells

4. Caroline Sasson’s rendering of the storage house
From Igbo Isaiah, depicting some of the sacred objects on an altar

5. Caroline Sasson’s rendering of
the burial chamber of Igbo Richard,
Depicting the priest-king,
Igbo Ukwu,
Water color,

6. Triton shell, Igbo Ukwu, Leaded bronze, 1100BP (900 AD)

7. Shell surmounted with a Leopard, Igbo Ukwu, leaded bronze, 1100 BP (900 AD)

8. Roped Vessel on a stand,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze,
1100 BP (900AD)

9. Bowl with concentric circular motifs, Igbo Ukwu, Leade bronze, 1100BP

10. Cylindrical staff ornament,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze with bead inlays,
1100BP

11. Bowl on a stand, Igbo ukwu, Leaded bronze, 1100 BP

12. Bowl,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze,
1100 BP

13. Crescentic bowl, Igbo Ukwu, Leaded bronze, 1100BP

14. Pear shaped bowl, Igbo Ukwu, Leaded bronze, 1100 BP

15. Potstand, Igbo Ukwu, Leaded bronze, 1100 BP

16. Pendant,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze,
1100 BP

17. Flywhisk handle,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze,
1100 BP

18. Double egg pendant, Igbo Ukwu, leaded bronze with beads, 1100 BP

19. Pendant with ram’s head motif,
Igbo ukwu,
Leaded bronze with beads,
1100 BP

20. Cylindrical staff ornament,
Igbo Ukwu,
Leaded bronze, 1100 BP

21. Globular vessel with everted rim, Igbo Ukwu, terracotta, 1000 BP

22. Map of Nigeria depicting the various ancient cultures

23. Ife: Origins of Art and Civilization
Art consists of objects in Terracotta, Leaded Brass, & Stone
--objects date to BP ( AD)
-art created for the ruling elite
Style elements:
Idealized naturalism
Striation on the face
Slightly elongated necks, with rolls of fat
Careful modeling
Heavily beaded figures with elaborate headdresses
Full length figures and busts

24. Head of an Ooni
(probably used in kingship rituals)
Ife, (Yoruba) Nigeria
Leaded brass BP

25. Head of an Ooni
(used in annual ritual of renewal)
Ife, (Yoruba) Nigeria
Leaded Brass (Zinc brass) BP

26. Mask depicting Obalufon
Patron and eponymous ancestors
Of brass casters
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Copper—leaded brass BP

27. Figure of an Ooni in ceremonial regalia
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Leaded Brass—Zinc Brass BP

28. Ceremonial vessel with female form
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Leaded brass
BP (11th/12th Century)

29. Royal Usurper Lajuwa,
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria,
Terracotta BP

30. Female Figure
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

31. Head of a female Ooni
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

32. Pot lid in the form of a Hippopotamus, Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria, Terracotta, 700-500 BP

33. Head of a ritual specialist,
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

34. Abstract cylindrical head depicting the inner
Spiritual head—ori inu
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

35. Ritual Pot
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

36. Quartz stool with loop handle
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Quartz, 900 BP

37. Ife was certainly a royal art
Summary
Ife was certainly a royal art
Ife was the religious and political center of divine rulers
Many of the heads were used for enthronement rituals;
Second burial ceremonies; and in honor of deceased rulers;
The art of Ife validates the notion:
Though king and queens may die, but the institution of rulership does not die