Ife Head
1. Describe the Ife head.
2. What elements or principles of art does this piece use?
3. What is the importance of this piece?

1.

The bronze sculpture-portrait 'Olokuna' from Nigeria is the sculpture of the city of Ife with height of 50 cm and beaded headdress representing a crown.

Explanation:

The city of Ife was the religious and early political center of Yoruba from the 9th to the 15th centuries. Olokuna portrait represent one of the 18 copper sculptures that were unearthed in 1938 at Ife in Nigeria and present realistic figures, most likely a king, in natural size made for purely artistic purpose.

2.

Cast in bronze using the complicated lost wax technique, Ife Head gives an indelible impression of works of high artistic value. The 'Art for the purpose of Art itself' is used on this figure as a principle of creation of objects.

Explanation:

The objects found indicate that the origin was not only related to the altars of particular cults, but it was made without any practical, didactic or cultic purpose, therefore, as pure artwork. As was the case elsewhere in the world, most often these works in precious bronze belonged to the higher social classes - kings and other eminent, privileged political and social positions. The principle 'Art for the purpose of Art itself', testify on the development of the society and its expression.

3.

The Ife head is famous for its realistic representation of human head with crown,  which is made in natural size.

Explanation

The Ife Head was used as the symbol of African achievements and virtuosity in many aspects, per example as a logo for the 1973 All-Africa Games in Lagos.

Bronze sculptures of medieval artists originating from the peoples of West Africa in their virtuosity, technical perfection and achievements shows the rich and varied artistic tradition in this part of the African continent.  

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