What is the difference between ife art and benin art

The Benin Empire was known for its many works of art, including religious objects, ceremonial weapons, masks, animal heads, figurines, busts and plaques.

Typically made from bronze, brass, clay, ivory, terra cotta or wood, most art was produced at the court of the Oba king and was used to illustrate achievements of the empire or to narrate mythical stories.

Iconic imagery depicted religious, social, and cultural issues that were central to their beliefs, and many bronze plaques featured representations of the Oba. Various works promoted theological and religious piety, while others narrated past events and achievements actual or mythical.

During the reign of the Kingdom of Benin, the characteristics of the artwork shifted from thin castings and careful treatment to thick, less defined castings and generalized features.

This sculpture, one of the many examples of Benin Bronzes held in museums around the world, depicts the generalized figures that frequently appear in Benin art. One of the most common artifacts today is the ivory mask based on Queen Idia, the mother of Oba Esigie who ruled from Another object unique to Benin art is the Ikegobo "altars to the hand" , a cylindrical votive object. Used as a cultural marker of an individual's accomplishments, Ikegobo were dedicated to the hand, from which the Beninese considered all will for wealth and success to originate.

These commemorative objects were made of brass, wood, terra cotta, or clay depending on the patron's hierarchical ranking. The peak of the Benin art occurred in the fifteenth century, with the arrival of the Portuguese missionaries and traders. By that point, Benin was already highly militarized and economically developed. However, the arrival of the Portuguese catalyzed a process of even greater political and artistic development.

Because of Benin's military strength, Portuguese missionaries were unable to enslave its people upon their arrival in the fifteenth century.

Instead, a trade network was established in which the Benin Empire traded beautiful works of art for luxury items from Portugal, such as beads, cloth, and brass manillas for casting. The wealth of Benin's art was credited with preventing the Benin Empire from becoming economically dependent on the Portuguese. In Yoruba Philosophy, the head is seen as the shell that houses the essence of an individual.

It is, therefore, usually depicted bigger than the rest of the body in sculptural representations. Therefore, it is certain that the art of Ife was done by persons who understand this philosophy. In , thirteen bronze heads of approximately life-size were found in the compound of Wunmonije a previous Ooni of Ife which was close to the back door of the palace.

Ife heads, though naturalistic, have some stylizations; the eyes are arched at the sides and have no brows, the lips are depicted slightly apart and the overall look of the face exudes peace and serenity. This released labour, which could then be channelled into creating great works of art centred largely on celebrating kingship. We can still see today an astounding range of objects made of bronze, brass, copper, wood, ceramic and ivory.

The superb level of Ife craftsmanship expressed, using the "lost wax" method, is comparable with the finest examples of metal-work in Europe from Classical and Renaissance times. Historial view "The art was largely motivated by the culture, the cultural practices of the people.

Historial view "The art of Ife and Benin is so important because one gives birth to the other. Eweka II taught Ovia Idah, a noted ebony carver. During the s and s, Felix Idubor and Festus Idehen both became successful sculptors that combined classical Benin techniques while also incorporating their own modern influences.

Since the Benin Punitive Expedition of , brass casters shifted their focus to making objects for tourists, which caused a range in quality Nevadomsky and Osemweri Triadic symmetry and frontality continued to be used with plaques created in the twentieth century. Plaques from this period lack horror vacui fear of leaving empty spaces , typically feature the rope of the world around the edge, and are crude rather than aesthetic Nevadomsky Commemorative portrait heads also changed in modern times: they shift from heads to busts, the patina of the sculptures are brighter, and the facial features are softer.

The Benin Kingdom situated in southcentral Nigeria dates to approximately A. The first, or Ogiso, dynasty lasted until , at which time Yoruba rule was imposed from the city of Ife. She bore him a son, Eweka I, who became the first Benin Oba king. Sometime during the 13th century, Iguegha, a caster, was brought from Ife to craft memorial heads of the Obas.

Terracotta heads in collections have been dated to the late 15th or 16th century and were used by the Ogiso rulers on altars to their paternal ancestors.