TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities "Altering The Way You View The World Of Art" |
Type of Object:
Ethnic Group:
- Yoruba Ife Bronze Casting Of An Oni
20th c.
- Modeled after the great Yoruba center at Ife dating originally
approximately 1100-1450 A.D. This famous archaeological site
at Ife in Nigeria produced a number of remarkable objects and
bronze heads cast in bronze including the original of this late
replica that was also cast in Nigeria. Ife is considered to be the
center and origin of the Yoruba people. This bronze cast head is
of an Oni, the ruler at Ife, who still rules over the Yoruba at Ife today.
The rise of the very old kingdom of Ife can be traced back to the
11th century. Their bronze casting skills were well known and it
was their craftsmen that, by mutual arrangement, taught the
younger Kingdom of Benin the art of casting bronze by what is
known as the "Lost Wax Method".
The entire face of this casting is covered in a mottled scarification
design and was cast to be a realistic portrait of the Oni of the
time. The rosette on the crown above the forehead proves that this
was indeed an Oni (King) and possibly female. The design on the
coiffure resembles rows of little ladders and is known to be
"ladders of death". It is supposed to remind the people that even
royalty have to go the same way in the end.
Benin came to an abrupt end when the British invaded them in
1897. This is a much sought after collectors piece.
It is important to note is that the skill of the Nigerian bronze and
brass casters of today who cast this vessel continue a tradition
nearly 1000 years old and have not lost their skill in producing.
Ethnic Group:
- Yoruba
- Benin, Nigeria and Togo
- Bronze
- 16" high x65 " wide
