There have been several threads on art in the culture forum already, but many of them are only for specific groups or have basically ignored lots of African art which is abstract or which intentionally does not attempt full realism or semi-realism . Some of these non-realistic, very stylized or abstract pieces are extremely creative and I figured I might as well make a thread on here showing some of the most interesting/beautiful ones.

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Baule Mask

[img]http://3.bp..com/-BduUvIxC7AA/TVvmUR3wtpI/AAAAAAAAAFs/7hvgNw4tbIE/s1600/69002-MASKBAUL_1443B.jpg[/img]

Baule Mask

[img]http://3.bp..com/-TLLytpvmVuA/TVvnpavMGwI/AAAAAAAAAF0/tqkjokC8GAo/s1600/69002-MASKBAUL_1439B.jpg[/img]

Baule Mask

Headrest, 19th–20th century
Zimbabwe; Shona people
Wood

Headrest

Feast Ladle (Wunkermian)

Dan

Hospitality is an important virtue in African societies. Among the Dan, the woman with the greatest reputation for hospitality is known as a wunkirle. On public occasions, she carries as a staff of office a spoon known as a wunkirmian. The large bowl of the spoon suggests the ample quantities of rice she has given away. The ram's head commonly denotes power among the Dan, but it may also refer to the use of rams as sacrifices at the feasts over which a wunkirle presides.

Bow Stand (Nsakakabemba)

Luba

The great mythical hero of Luba kingship was a famous hunter whose most cherished possession was his bow. Bow stands, therefore, symbolize chiefly authority and are connected to elaborate rituals and taboos. They are never displayed in public and are guarded by a female dignitary who provides prayers and sacrifices. The female figure on this bow stand holds her hands to her chest, a gesture that refers both to the Luba idea that women guard the secrets of royalty within their breasts and to the idea of devotion to the spirit world

Dance Headdress (Ci-wara Kun)

Bamana

These headdresses, called chi wara, represent antelopes, important animals in Bamana philosophy. The antelope's power is a metaphor for the successful farmer who tirelessly tills his fields. Worn on the heads of male dancers, these headdresses are always danced in pairs, one male and one female, to symbolize the fertility of both land and animals. The headdresses are danced during agricultural festivals by each town's champion farmer, who wears them with raffia or cloth costumes.

Helmet Mask (ndoli jowei) for Sande Society

Mende

The ceremonies of the Sande society are the only occasions in Africa in which women customarily wear wooden masks. Masks like this one represent the society's guardian spirit at public events such as funerals or the installations of chiefs.The features of the mask illustrate the group's ideal of feminine beauty, with a broad, high forehead, small narrow eyes, and an elaborate coiffure. The elegant hairstyles also symbolize the importance of social cooperation, since a woman needs the help of her friends to dress her hair.In Sierra Leone and western Liberia, each town has a Sande society that includes all of the women in the community. It represents them and binds them together as a powerful social and political force. The Sande society is one of the most influential patrons of the visual arts in West Africa.

Dance Headdress (Ci-wara Kun)

Bamana

Mask for the Okuyi Society (Mukudj)

Punu

Okuyi masks are made by people throughout the Ngounie River basin of southern Gabon. They are danced in masquerades during funeral celebrations. The mask's white coloring symbolizes peace, the afterlife, and the spirits of the dead. Scarification patterns arranged into lozenges on the forehead and at each temple are known as "fish scales." Though the features of these masks are relatively naturalistic, a supernatural effect is created by bulky costumes and stilts worn by the dancer.

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri)

Fang

The Fang preserve the skulls, femurs, and vertebrae of revered ancestors in bark boxes that are protected in shrine houses. Figurative images are carved to sit on the lids of these containers to serve as guardians of the bones. These figures symbolically evoke the ancestor as well as serving as protectors of the relics. This figure's elongated torso and bulbous arms and legs, and especially the elaborate coiffure with three triangular elements that sweep back from the nape of the neck, are characteristic of a Fang master carver who lived in the Ntem River valley in the latter part of the eighteenth century and the early nineteenth.

ANTELOPE SCULPTURE, Tyi Wara
Wood
Africa, Mali, Bamana (Bambara)
19th-20th Century
Closely linked to the Chi Wara, shown elsewhere in the exhibit, this sculpture is often carried or featured in the dances and ceremonies related to Ganay, god of agriculture. Today, the Bambara people have personified their reverence for the agricultural deity by referring to a good hardworking farmer as Tyi Wara.

Exquisite
I especially love the luba bow stand.
Great thread.

CEREMONIAL CONTAINER,
“Ark of the World”
Wood, pigment
Africa, Mali, Dogon tribe
19th Century
Among the Dogon peoples, the “ceremonial container of the ancestors” also called “ark of the world”, is kept in the lineage’s family house. It represents the ark in which the first “Nomo”, the mythical progenitor of mankind, descended to earth, along with his “sons” — four pairs of male and female twins — and everything made in heaven by Amma, the creator. This sculpted wooden container was made to be offered to the wife of the “hogon”, the religious head of the region and high priest of the cult of the Lebe.

^^^
wow

emöfine2: Exquisite
I especially love the luba bow stand.
Great thread.

Yeah. It's beautiful. All of this art is really creative and beautiful and there's really nothing quite like it in the world. Yet we don't often see or hear about this kind of art whenever really creative art traditions are mentioned.

PhysicsQED:

Yeah. It's beautiful. All of this art is really creative and beautiful and there's really nothing quite like it in the world. Yet we don't often see or hear about this kind of art whenever really creative art traditions are mentioned.

Does it matter what era of work is posted or are you after work only from a particular period?

emöfine2:
Does it matter what era of work is posted or are you after work only from a particular period?

It doesn't matter what era of work is posted. Any art from the past to the present that is abstract/stylized, African, and which you feel is beautiful in some way or another, feel free to post.

Yoruba Gelede Headdress

Gelede mask
Yoruba, Nigeria, Kete area
Wood with red paint
First half 20th century
Height 16 inches, Width: 10.5 inches

[img]http://www.kam.illinois.edu/collection/images/african/BeninMask.jpg[/img]

Mask depicting warrior hunter (Oro Efe), early 20th century
Republic of Benin, Ketu-Ohori (Yoruba)
Wood, pigment
15 x 13 inches

An Efe-Gelede celebration is generally a two-day event in which masks are divided into those that make their appearance at night (Efe), and those that appear on the following day (Gelede). The nighttime Efe performance takes place in the market area, which is generally regarded as the economic and social realm of women. Efe-Gelede ceremonies recognize and honor the formidable powers of Yoruba female elders, referred to collectively as "our mothers." This celebration involves masqueraders, dancers, singers, and orators who impart social commentary, legend, and history through performance.

A wide variety of masks are worn in Efe-Gelede performances, all of which touch on aspects of Yoruba life. Snakes, birds, tortoises, and lizards, as well as historical public figures, fashion trends, and foreigners, are frequently depicted. This Efe mask is unusual in its representation of a bearded Muslim man from northern Nigeria, distinguished by seven carved amulets (three across his forehead and four flanking his beard). These amulets signify evil-averting devices containing verses from the Qur'an, which empower the mask. There has been a strong Muslim presence in Yorubaland since the seventeenth century, and aspects of Islam have been incorporated into local religious traditions. The white color of this mask tells us that it would be danced at the nighttime Efe ceremony in order to educate and entertain the community on both secular and spiritual matters, while both placating and honoring Yoruba women.

An Efe-Gelede performance exemplifies the Yoruba tradition of synthesizing the arts of mythology, poetry, sculpture, dance, and music through masquerade. Efe-Gelede is performed in times of celebration and of calamity to honor and appease the mothers. If admired and respected, the women will protect and bless the community. If neglected, they may use their supernatural powers to wreak havoc on society. Known for their beauty and athletic display, Efe-Gelede festivals honor and celebrate all women, especially mothers, a significant phenomenon in a patriarchal society.

"Masks like this are worn by men in elaborate masquerade performances known as "Gelede." This ritual takes place each year between March
and May, at the beginning of a new agricultural season. The purpose of the performance is to pay tribute to the special power of women, both
elders and ancestors, who are known affectionately as "our mothers." Women can use a spiritual life force, ase, which can be creative or
destructive. When these powers are used destructively, women are called aje (witch), and, if angered, are believed to have the capacity to
destroy individuals or entire communities. The masquerade provides an opportunity for "our mothers" to be placated or pampered so that they
do not use their destructive powers against the Yoruba people; instead they encourage rain and fertile soil.

The masks are worn at an angle on the top of the head, with pairs of men wearing similar masks. The masquerade has an elaborate and bulky
costume, emphasizing the breasts and buttocks of the woman it represents, showing the desired fatness of a beautiful and graceful woman. The
identity of the wearer is not secret; he can be seen through the transparent cloth worn over the face, and he can unmask in public. The name of
the dancer may be given in the song which accompanies his act, making him the subject of praise or criticism, depending on the skill and rhythm
of his performance. Drumming and singing, essential features of the performance, accompany the strictly choreographed dance. The harmony
and balance demonstrated by good dancers shape a metaphor for social perfection, where people help one another, share their wealth and
talents, and enjoy the life they have been given.

The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lower mask and an upper superstructure. The lower mask depicts a woman's face, its
composure expressing the qualities of calmness, patience, and "coolness" desired in women. The static expression and simplicity of this portion
of the headdress contrasts with vitality and diversity of the superstructure. The design of the superstructure is intended to placate the mothers
by displaying their inner powers for all to see, thus pleasing them and ensuring the well-being of the community."

http://www.randafricanart.com/Yoruba_gelede_mask_snake_and_birds.html

Bowl bearer.
Luba, D.R.C.
Wood, brass tacks, iron, beads
h. 39 cm.

Songye Bronze Kpelie Poro Society Mask

Madora (Mupani Worm) by Nicholas Mukomberanwa (B&W)

A figure emerges from the stone and in each hand a mupani worm, a traditional food source in Zimbabwe.

Mask, Senufo; Ivory Coast

Wood; H. 13 1/8"

Masks such as this example were used in funerary contexts within the Poro society among the Senufo. Referred to as Kpellie or Kpeliyehe, masks of this type are danced during the Poyoro masquerade and represent beautiful women. Originally, this mask would have been part of a larger costume, with a hooded cloth cape and a red skirt made of raffia. The dancers, imitating women's delicate and graceful gestures, would dance with iron staves topped by three small bells. Though certain uniformity exists within this masking tradition, there are subtle and often graceful variations that can accent the basic structure. This example has down-turned horns and simplified, heavy volumes on its side panels. Crowned by a narrow crest, this mask harmoniously integrates the usual shapes of the standard form into a seemingly simple combination that is deceivingly complex in its balance.

IGALA HELMET MASK. Benue River, Nigeria, ca. 19th century

Igbo Maiden Spirit Mask

Mask 1950–67

Gola

Liberia

gumwood, stain


Hair and the Sowei Mask

Few works of African sculpture are more focused on the depiction of hairstyles than are the sowei masks of the Sande women's initiation society. The representation of hairstyles on masks from this region is among the most detailed and realistic in Africa. The hairstyle of the mask, a carefully carved representation of braided, plaited, knotted, and decorated strands of hair, takes up between one-third to one-half of the total height of the carving.

Hair is a preeminent symbol of feminine beauty among members of the Sande society. An attractive head of hair is one that is thick, lush, and abundant, like "the rice in a well-tended field." Women spend hours styling each other's hair, and the process also serves as an act of social bonding.

Ironically, women throughout this region commonly wear a head tie, which covers a carefully and beautifully coiffed hairstyle. The use of head ties may be due to Islamic influence; however, it is more of a social, rather than a religious convention. There are no restrictions against women showing their hair in publi