| Unlike their Western counterparts, only very little | | | | example, when a boy was accepted as an adult in |
| art bears the individual stamps of their artists. | | | | the tribe. Their main purpose however, was to |
| African artists were sometimes requested to | | | | scare away evil intruders and spirits. Among the |
| create specific artworks for a king or a leader, | | | | most admired and prized masks are those from |
| but most of the time these were created by | | | | Sudan region. These have smooth finishes and |
| several tribal artists that had to work according to | | | | very graceful lines that show off the intricate |
| tradition. But in spite of these restrictions, many | | | | craftsmanship of their artists. Sometimes the |
| African artists still managed to express their own | | | | masks were decorated with feathers and other |
| techniques and imagination. If a new technique | | | | trinkets. African masks were designed to be worn |
| was proven to be good or practical, it easily | | | | on top of the head instead of over the face. |
| became part of the artistic tradition.So much of | | | | Their designs were usually based on the horns of |
| African art was created for religious purposes. | | | | an animal reaching heavenward.Another important |
| Spiritism, magic, ancestor worship and many other | | | | form of metal sculpture in Africa is the gold |
| aspects of the religions of African tribes are | | | | weight. These weights were also made in bronze, |
| commonly reflected in their art. Artworks were | | | | copper, or brass. These small cast figures were |
| also created for celebrating marriage, funerals and | | | | made in various sizes and weights to measure |
| other festive occasions. While most Western | | | | quantities of gold. Most of these weights were |
| artists value art for its own beauty, African | | | | made in what is now known as the Ghana and |
| artists seem to place tremendous value and | | | | they were essential to the gold trade. The |
| meaning to the forms, arrangement of shapes | | | | Ashanti tribe, which produced more gold weights |
| and lines on each work of art. It is very rare for | | | | than any other tribe, patterned figures after |
| an African sculptor to create art just for the | | | | medicine men, reptiles, trees, plants and |
| sake of creating something beautiful. Nearly | | | | geometric designs. Aside from weights, Africans |
| everything an African artist does has a function | | | | have also made jewelry out of gold. African |
| and a purpose.Sculptures were made to honor | | | | women of all ages wore gold trinkets for |
| ancestors, gods and kings. Elaborate masks were | | | | ornamentation in. Men on great occasions also |
| created to be worn on festive occasions. Beads, | | | | wore long gold chains and pendants. The African |
| trinkets and jewelry were mostly used to indicate | | | | goldsmith was a masterful craftsman and created |
| wealth, adolescence, marriage, or personal | | | | intricate work with 18 karat gold.Africans were |
| authority. Guardian figures made out of clay or | | | | also very good at making handicrafts. They wove |
| metal were fastened to coffins to invite good | | | | their own textiles bags, robes and other |
| spirits that would protect the dead and chase | | | | decorative products. The artists who created |
| away evil demons. Stools, spoons, bowls, combs, | | | | fabrics were usually women while all other |
| as well as a variety of other useful items were | | | | paintings were left to the men. The designs were |
| carved to make them a little more decorative. | | | | generally geometrical in nature.Pottery was also an |
| But the object of African art is always meant to | | | | important craft in Africa. Bowls and stools were |
| be useful first and beautiful only second.Masks | | | | usually very functional and simple in design. It is |
| were an important piece of art in Africa. The use | | | | their simplicity that makes them so interesting. |
| of masks had an important role in the spirit world | | | | They also made baskets, shoes, fans and rugs |
| that dominated the lives of the African people. | | | | made of a coarse cloth called samfos or a fiber |
| They were used at initiation ceremonies, for | | | | like raffia. |