1. Map of Nigeria depicting the various ancient cultures

2. 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

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

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

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

6. Seated Figure from Tada,
Ife, Yoruba, Nigeria BP
(13th-15th cent.)

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

8. Entwined Royal Couple,
Ife, Nigeria
Leaded Brass
12th -15th Cent.

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

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

11. Female Figure
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

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

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

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

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

16. Ritual Pot
Ife (Yoruba) Nigeria
Terracotta BP

17. Group of stylized abstract heads representing, inner spiritual head--site of personality
Yoruba, (Ita Yemoo, Ife) Nigeria, terracotta, h. 13 cm(5 in); 19 cm(7.1/2 in);
16.5 cm (61/2 in) 16 cm (6 3/8 in)

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

19. 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