1. Ife: Origin of Art and Civilization

3. Portrait of a female Ooni
Leaded brass, BP

4. Head of an Ooni probably used in Kingship
Rituals, BP

5. Head of an Ooni probably used in
Rituals of annual renewal
Leaded brass, BP

6. Masked depicting Ooni Obalufon,
Eponymous ancestor of brass casters
Leaded brass, BP

7. Figure of Ooni
Leaded brass, BP

8. Bust of Ooni
Leaded brass BP

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

10. Head representing the
Royal usurper Lajuwa,
Terracotta, BP

11. Female figure,
Terracotta BP

12. Head of female Ooni
Terracotta, BP

13. Head of female Ooni,
Terracotta, BP

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

15. Ritual vessel,
Terracotta, BP

16. Abstract head depicting
the inner spiritual head
Terracotta, BP

17. Ritual Pot,
Terracotta, BP

18. Head of an Elephant
Terracotta BP

19. Ceremonial vessel
Leaded brass
800 BP

20. 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 kings and Queens-- Validating the notion that “kings/rulers may die, but the institution of kingship (ruler-ship) does not die”

21. The Art of Owo
Located approximately midway between the Ancient Kingdoms of Ife and Benin Style Elements Greatly influenced by the Cultural and Artistic traditions of Ife and Benin Idealized Naturalism Art was predominantly in terracotta, wood and ivory for members of the royal household and titled chiefs

22. Fragment of a Head from a full figure, Possibly that of Oronsen Terracotta, 500 B.P

23. Upper half of Male figure, Terracotta, 9.13/16 inches. 700-500 B.P

24. Leopard gnawing A human leg, Terracotta

25. Arms holding an animal’s Head, Terracotta 14.3/16 in.

26. Cock, Terracotta, 4.5/16 in. 500 B.P

27. Fragment of a mudfish swallowing a lobster, Terracotta, 5. 1/8 in
Fragment of a mudfish swallowing a lobster, Terracotta, 5.1/8 in. 500 B.P

28. Basket of severed Heads with slashed Faces, Terracotta

29. Fragment of a face form a ritual pot, Terracotta, 500 B.P

30. Hand holding a rat or a Lizard, Terracotta, 6.5/16 in. 500 B.P

31. Hand holding a leaf, Terracotta, 4.5/16 in. 500 B.P

32. Divination Tapper (Iroke-Ifa), Ivory, 17th-18th century.

33. Lidded Vessel Ivory, 18th century,

34. Ivory Attachment, (Omama) 17th/18th Century, 6.in