Helmet Mask Epa or Elefon type Oloko - “he who has the farm” Yorubaland Nigeria 46” tall x 14” x 12” Collected by naturalist and philanthropist, Eli Weiss in the 1980’s. Carved from a single piece of wood - this mask begins with an Ikoko head at the bottom symbolizing the Great Ancestors followed by a stack of animals signaling abundance and fertility. Beautifully carved and painted. Dynamic forms and impressive size. Thank you for your interest in our curated selection of rare and unusual pieces. We’ve taken pride for over 20 years in our excellent reputation and strive to satisfy our clients exacting needs. Please note that we take great care in accurately describing our items and we back that up with a money back guarantee. If you order and receive product that is not as described we will promptly refund the product cost once the item has been returned in good order. If you have any questions or require further images or information in order to make a decision please do not hesitate to contact us. Thanks and Best Regards, David Dixon and Steven Colby StrangeImports.com
The Wari False Head is a fascinating artifact that offers a glimpse into the past. It is believed to have been created from 1000 to 1470 A.D. and is a...
Wall mask, girl's head, RS Cortendorf ceramics, teak version, 1950s. Undamaged, very good vintage condition. A girl's head carved from a special cloth can inspire fans of the 50s. Height: 19.5cm Width 9.5cm 5.00 euros discount on every additional order (combined shipping).
"The African sculptures mistaken for remains of Atlantis CNN (June 21, 2010) "A hundred years ago when German explorer Leo Frobenius visited West Africa and came across some sculpted bronze heads and terracotta figures, he was sure he had discovered remains of the mythical lost city of Atlantis. "He refused to believe that the sophisticated and ornately carved bronze sculptures were made in Africa. "In his book, Voice of Africa, Frobenius wrote: 'Before us stood a head of marvellous beauty, wonderfully cast in antique bronze, true to the life, incrusted with a patina of glorious dark green. This was, in very deed, the Olokun, Atlantic Africa's Poseidon.' " 'I was moved to silent melancholy at the thought that this assembly of degenerate and feeble-minded posterity should be the legitimate guardians of so much loveliness,' he added...." I don't think there's much doubt, these days, that 19th century Euro-Western cultures weren't as inclusive and insightful as they could have been. That said, let's remember that Frobenius's book is, as the reporter wrote, a century old: "The voice of Africa: being an account of the travels of the German Inner African Exploration Expedition in the years 1910-1912 (1913)" Author: Frobenius, Leo, 1873-1938; Deutsche Inner-Afrikanische Forschungs Expedition (Internet Archive) 19th-Century Biases, Huck Finn, and Getting a GripParts of Mark Twain's "Huckleberry Finn" do a pretty good job of showing the sort of attitude 'proper' people had toward Africans and things African then: "...'It warn't the grounding—that didn't keep us back but a little. We blowed out a cylinder-head.' " 'Good gracious! anybody hurt?' " 'No'm. Killed a [redacted].' " 'Well, it's lucky; because sometimes people do get hurt....'..." Chapter CHAPTER XXXII, "Huckleberry Finn," Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens (1885)That term, [redacted], is probably why "Huckleberry Finn" was banned a couple decades back, when political correctness was in bloom. That, and a certain cluelessness about what the book was saying about [redacted] Jim and 19th-century mores. In this context, [redacted] means a person whose ancestors came entirely or primarily from Africa. You know: one of those "degenerate and feeble-minded" folks the German author described. What sets Twain apart from Frobenius is that in "Huckleberry Finn," [redacted] Jim comes across as among the smartest and wisest folks in the story: and certainly as worthy of respect as any of the 'proper' people. An Exhibition With a MessageThis Ife sculpture exhibition has a Message - capital "M:" "...According to Neil Macgregor, Director of the British Museum, there was a conscious effort to display the Ife sculptures at the same time as an exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings at the museum because he wanted to highlight the 'relationship between Nigerian culture and the rest of the world.' " 'We wanted to make the point that nobody, when they learn European art history, studying Italy and Renaissance in the fourteenth, fifteenth centuries, is taught that at exactly the same time in West Africa, artistic production of the same level and the same quality is going on,' he said during a talk on Nigeria at the museum...." "Nobody, When They Learn European Art History..." - Who's "Nobody?"Hi, I'm "nobody:" the fellow who learned about African art in courses about European art. I'm one of the many "nobodies" who sat around me. As I recall, with a few exceptions, we were simply 'not British.' Maybe British Museum Director Neil Macgregor was thinking exclusively of British students, when he said that nobody learned about African art in European art courses. Maybe the United Kingdom skipped the 'all Africa, all the time' academic fad, back around the seventies and eighties. Bottom line? I think it's a good idea to study connections and parallels among cultures. But I've also gotten over feeling ashamed and/or bitter over what somebody else did, a century and more ago. What? European Art History Courses Focusing on European Art?!!I've been a teacher: it can be challenging to fit the content you're supposed to cover into the class periods of a semester, quarter, or summer session. Maybe European art history courses in the United Kingdom actually do focus exclusively on European art. It'd be nice, of course, to push some of the European stuff aside, to make room for art from: Africa India Australia China Polynesia America North South Central If I left out someone's favorite cultural/ethnic group, by the way: I'm sorry about that. There are so many. Moving along. 'I don't Know Much About Art, But I Know What I Like'Back to the reporter, Frobenius, and a remarkable art exhibition. The CNN article's slide show features mostly representational sculptures from Ife: the sort of art that Frobenius and most contemporary Westerners are apt to recognize as 'good' art. I like well-done representational art, myself. There's been a great deal of art created in many cultures, which is worth studying and takes pains to follow exactly those forms which we see in nature. In some circles, the person who says 'I don't know much about art, but I know what I like,' is considered a boor or a buffoon. My take on the phase is that it's an expression of art appreciation that's latent in most people. That's another topic. I don't know all that much about Ife culture, but I assume that the British museum has a particular theme or idea in mind, and that the 'life-like' sculptures fit that idea. Africa and Abstract ArtOn the other hand, the biggest contribution of African culture and art to European culture may be what European artists started studying, as gaping holes in the 'degenerate African' model became impossible to ignore. Take this Songye mask, for example. It doesn't "look like" a human face. Certainly not in the same way that the Ife sculptures pictured in the CNN article do. But even by itself, with not hint of scale or position relative to the rest of the world, it, it - looks like a human face. Once recognized as a mask, it's almost impossible to not pick out the eyes and mouth. Westerners have seen abstract art (good, bad, and atrocious) for generations now: so we're probably not all that surprised or shocked any more. But we wouldn't have gotten the pioneering abstract artists, if they hadn't gotten interested in African art. I'm getting off-topic here, but not by much. On Tour - in "Various States"I'd like to see this Kingdom of Ife collection, myself: and might have an opportunity, if I can figure out where it's going to be, later this year. The CNN article has this tantalizing paragraph: "...The sculptures are currently on display at the British Museum in London until 4th July and will move to various states in the United States from September...." Which states? When? Good question. If you've got an answer, I'd appreciate your sharing it in a comment - with a link to wherever the exhibition is, if possible. Thanks in advance. Related posts ('sculpture' is the connecting idea): "Paper Square to Origami Emu in Just Over Six Minutes" (March 3, 2010) Origami is a sort of craft The results are little sculptures "Dino Art: Can You Dig It?" (January 22, 2010) "Visit Japan's "Robot Mecha" - Redundant Title, Fun Article" (December 16, 2009) "Driftwood Horses: Sculptures from Dead Wood" (September 19, 2009) "Huge Model Railroad: Diablo Valley Lines" (July 9, 2009) Yes: sculpture Those mountains didn't make themselves "New Abraham Lincoln Statue Cheesy: Literally" (July 5, 2009) More: "Kingdom of Ife | Sculptures from West Africa" British Museum "Critics laud art from Africa's ancient Ife Kingdom" Reuters (March 2, 2010)
How could one live without the other! We love these marionettes as much they love each other. They are not perfect but they’ve known each other for a long, long time. Old couple marionettes are two unique personalities and they’ve seen the world together. After all those years, they’re still in love and that’s what makes them real darlings. Joe is true gentleman, always ready to open the door for his lady. And Fanny? For Joe she’s never changed. Still charming, still beautiful, just like the first day they met... Their bodies are made of wood, heads and hands are cast. Notice, their shoes are made of real leather and the clothes are hand-sewn. They are perfect for occasional performances. Please, note that each marionette is an original piece of art and it may slightly differ from the pictures above. For example the clothes or the hair colour may be different, depending on the availability of the materials. Each marionette stands 45cm tall.
Publish By MUAFA
Portrait 1 2006 calcaire h = 35 cm
As a part of my ongoing exploration of puppets and puppet-makers here at the Artlog, today I offer an interview with the Czech-born puppet-maker Jan Zalud. Above: heads and hands of villagers carve…
More of my photos at www.photoboxgallery.com/jimhigham
Made to order. Turnaround time is 1-4 weeks. This bowl is wheel thrown and hand sculpted into two faces, eyes closed, their minds meeting in the middle as though they are in silent communication with each other. I handmade each bowl in this design, so each one has some subtle variation. Approximately 11 inches diameter by 3 inches deep. It is made of stoneware clay, glazed white. A deep groove is carved under the foot so it can hang on the wall on a screw or nail. According to some schools of feng shui, the relationship area of one's home is strengthened and enhanced with images or objects depicting pairs or couples. This piece is designed to be a serving vessel at times, and a piece of wall art when not in use. It presents a joyful feeling of companionship as an open container for nurturing goodness.
The way this artist captures facial textures and expressions through hundreds of pieces of wood blocks is absolutely stunning.
Sculpture by self taught artist Terry Turrell.
Explore Following Hadrian's 47776 photos on Flickr!
My art journal page tumblr. This is art that inspires me. My favorite view is archive view, like one big inspiration board.
