Yoruba art

1300 – 2026 (approximate dates)

Africa

One of Africa's richest sculptural traditions: masks, ibeji twin figures and court beadwork of the Yoruba people of Nigeria and Benin.

Selected works

Head from Ife c. 14th century

Masquerade Costume for Egungun (Paka) Late 19th/early 20th century

Female Figure with Rooster (Olumeye) Late 19th or early 20th century

Ogboni Chief's Textile Early-mid-20th century

Bag (Apo Ileke) Mid–20th century

Woman's Àdìre Eleso Wrapper 1925/75

Woman's Wrapper (Aso Oke) Mid–20th century

Woman's Àdìre Wrapper Mid–20th century

Woman's Àdìrẹ Wrapper 1970s