HISTORY OF ART: IDENTITY: IFE HEAD

Medium

brass, using the lost wax technique, highly skilled

height

35 cm

date

14th - 15th century

depicts

a particular Ooni, a ruler of the West African kingdom of Ife that flourished between 1100 and 1500

the region of Ife specialised

in using metals to create objects

one of a series

of eighteen heads found which have stylistic similarities, which were made by an individual artist or workshop

European reaction

astonishment, as the naturalistic rendering challenged their perceptions of African art.

made from brass imported from across the Sahara desert

illustrates the prosperity of the kingdom.

symbolic function

suggestion that it was used in funeral ceremonies

scarification (lines across the face)

represents the dynastic line and ideas of continuity

holes in the temple (also holes to attach a beard on the face)

nailed to an effigy in a royal funeral ceremony

beaded crown painted in red

holds significance as an illustration of status as brass and beads were luxury materials available to the wealthy and powerful

naturalistic rendering but ¾ life size

individua portrait as well as having a role in the funeral procession of the Ooni.

critical text ‘the social role, authority and power

‘the social role, authority, and power of the individual in their own era helped shape the way he or she was represented in the portrait’