6 Yoruba Sculpture, 1100-1400

The Yoruba people, native to much of what is now Nigeria, trace their origins to the ancient city of Ife. Between 1100 and 1400 CE, Ife became a center of artistic excellence, especially known for its copper-alloy and terracotta sculptures. Because the city left no written records and relied on oral tradition, these objects serve as vital sources of historical insight. Like written documents, we can ask who created the object, and for what purpose? What does it reveal about Yoruba beliefs, politics, or society?

Copper Mask

Copper mask
Figure 1: Copper Mask for King Obalufon II (ca. 1300 CE). Mask_said_to_represent_the_Oni_Obalufon_II from Scala Archives is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mask_said_to_represent_the_Oni_Obalufon_II.jpg

Bronze Head

Bronze head
Figure 2: Bronze Head from Ife (ca. 14th-15th Century). Arte_yoruba,_nigeria,_testa_da_ife,_12-15mo_secolo by Saiko is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arte_yoruba,_nigeria,_testa_da_ife,_12-15mo_secolo.JPG

Terracotta Head

Terracotta head
Figure 3: Terracotta Head Representing Ooni or King of Ife (ca. 14th Century). Brooklyn_Museum_L54.5_Fragment_of_a_Head_(3) from Brooklyn Museum is licensed under CC BY 3.0. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_L54.5_Fragment_of_a_Head_(3).jpg

Questions for Discussion

Reflect on the purpose of these sculptures. Why were they created? Next, discuss the materials and practical technology required to create these objects. Why do you think such techniques did not spread to neighboring regions such as Central Africa?

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Middle and Early Modern Ages Copyright © 2026 by John Bawden is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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