1
A utilitarian, ritualistic form of art

The creations that we will discover in this chapter have one thing in common: they were not just made to “look pretty”.  The masks or statues had a precise ritual use, often sacred. 

 

Let’s take a look!

“Ejumba” zoomorphic mask
19th century, Diola culture, Senegal, wickerwork, 48 x 12 x 9 inches, Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Museum, Paris. Photo: © musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrick Gries
Anthropomorphic Mask
20th century, Yoruba culture, West Africa, wood, 9 x 12 x 8 inches, Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Museum, Paris. Photo: © musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Sandrine Expilly
Chief’s Chair
19th century, Tshokwe culture, hardwood chair with patina, bronze nails, 25 inches high, Brooklyn Museum, New York. Photo: Brooklyn Museum CC BY 3.0
“Kibango” chief’s sceptre,
19th century, Luba culture, wood, 51.5 x 49 x 49 inches Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Museum, Paris. Photo: © musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrick Gries
In a nutshell

Some African artworks had a very precise function and were used in religious rituals.

In summary, you have discovered:

  • Africa’s rich history
  • Clay pottery from the Nok civilization
  • The Ife Head
  • The great medieval kingdoms
  • The Mali empire
  • Djenné clay pottery
To train

Traditionally, in most African countries, the memory of the past …

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Ife heads are particularly remarkable because of …

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How long was the Empire of Mali from end to end in the 14th century?

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You have unlocked the next chapter in your course African Arts.

CHAPTER 2

Major Characteristics

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6
Djenné clay pottery

What remains of this Mali empire today? Not a lot, unfortunately!

 

Just some magnificent clay statues of animals or human beings, all of which were discovered near the town of Djenné in Mali. 

 

The meaning of these statues remains mysterious: some might represent individuals who are possessed by a spirit, able to see into the invisible world.

Female statuette,
between the 13th and 15th century, Djenne region, Mali, terracotta with red ochre slip, 15 x 12 x 9 inches Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac Museum, Paris. Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 3.0
In a nutshell

Djenné clay sculptures, the last remains of the Mali empire, may represent individuals who are possessed by spirits.

5
The Mali empire

Other great kingdoms came into being in West Africa, such as the powerful Mali empire in the middle of the 13th century. At the height of its power, it controlled a vast expanse of territory across more than 1,423 miles, from Senegal to Niger!

 

This empire’s merchants collected gold from all over West Africa. This extremely pure gold was then transported to the Maghreb, where it was used to produce large quantities of coins. 

In a nutshell

From the 13th century onwards, the powerful Mali empire collected and supplied large quantities of gold to the Maghreb.

4
The great medieval kingdoms
Rhinoceros of Mapungubwe,
around 1220-1290, wood and gold leaf, 6 inches (length), Mapungubwe Museum, Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Sian Tiley-Nel, CC BY-SA 4.0

Between the 12th and 15th centuries, which more or less corresponds to the end of the Middle Ages in Europe, there were several great kingdoms in succession. 

 

For example, in South Africa, the Mapungubwe kingdom revealed incredible treasures …

 

This small rhinoceros, entirely made of gold leaf, has become a priceless national treasure for South Africa today!

This powerful medieval kingdom then gave way to another one, the Zimbabwe.

 

Here we discover a stone citadel with walls 7 metres high!

Aerial view of the Grand Zimbabwe citadel.
between the 11th and 15th centuries, Masvingo. Photo: Janice Bell, CC BY-SA 4.0
In a nutshell

Great medieval kingdoms, such as the Mapungubwe or Zimbabwe, have left impressive treasures or remains.

3
The Ife Head

Although Nok clay items have become an essential part of African heritage, bronze heads from Ife are even more famous. Their fine details make them totally exceptional. How were they made?  

 

Using the lost wax casting method:

 

Ife Head
17th century, Ife site, Nigeria, bronze, 14 x 5 x 6 inches, British Museum, London. Photo: © The Trustees of the British Museum
In a nutshell

The lost wax technique was used to create exceptional heads in Ife.

2
Clay pottery from the Nok civilization

Let’s start with Nigeria in West Africa. Westerners are most familiar with this country’s ancient history.

Sculpture of a man sitting down, Nok culture
between 500 BC and 500 AD, terracotta; 15 x 5 x 7.5 inches Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum, Paris. Photo: © musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Hughes Dubois

In the 1920s, the English civil servant Bernard Fagg discovered a small clay head in a field belonging to a farmer, who was using it as a … scarecrow!  Several other remains of this type were found in the tin mines and Fagg started to collect them.

 

These characters and animals all date from an exceptionally long time ago. Fagg linked them to the Nok civilization, which is said to date from the first century before our time!

In a nutshell

The ancient Nok civilization left clay remains in what is now Nigeria.

1
Africa’s rich history
Sub-Saharan Africa

Away we go to sub-Saharan Africa! That’s the name we give to the part of this continent located south of the Sahara desert.

 

Apart from a few exceptions, African societies have not left behind any written documents about their rich past.

 

Instead of writing, they sang about or recited their epic adventures.  This was the job of “griots”, their “history experts”!

Africa does have a very ancient, complex history. This is evidenced by the existence of prehistoric paintings from several centuries ago!

Cave paintings from the Brandberg mountains in Namibia,
around 2000 BC, drawing carved on stone. Photo: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0
In a nutshell

Contrary to preconceived western ideas, African societies have a rich history handed down for many years by oral tradition.

In summary, you have discovered:

  • The three great empires
  • Topkapi Palace
  • Behzad the painter
  • Safavid literary art
  • Qajar painting
  • Rachid Koraïchi, contemporary painter
To train

Name the three major empires in the Islamic world in the modern era:

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Which masterly work of art was created by the Ottomans in Istanbul?

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Which art knew exceptional development under the Safavids?

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You have opened the final quiz on Islamic Art, on your way to your Art Explora certificate.

Final Quiz

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Answer these 12 questions to check your knowledge. You need to get 10 correct answers to receive your badge.

But there’s no need to panic: if you fail, you can always try again later.

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6
Rachid Koraïchi, contemporary painter

All of these great empires have now collapsed. But the Islamic arts continue to exist through contemporary artists.

 

Algerian Rachid Koraïchi is one of them. His works are full of symbols, bringing up to date the art of calligraphy. They often mention Islam, but this is not their only reference. What Koraïchi wanted above all was to highlight the links between civilisations.

Rachid Koraïchi, Tribute to René Char, Michel Butor and Mohammed Dib,
1998, Aubusson, woven tapestry, silk and wool, Limoges Library. Photo: ADAGP, Paris, 2021
In a nutshell

Artists like Rachid Koraïchi continue to keep Islamic arts alive today.