Art of Africa: Ornament vs. the Palace Altar

Africa had plenty of natural resources in 7^th century such as gold, ivory, ebony, incense, and animal skin (leopard); therefore, African Arts has been used with natural resources like the artwork ‘Ornament’ and ‘the Palace Altar’. Some of Islamic Arts spread to the South Africa, and it affected African Arts.

Both ‘Ornament’ and ‘the Palace Altar’ are royalty remains in 10sth century and the very valuable remains of the country. ‘Ornament’ belongs to the queen and ‘the Palace Altar’ belongs to the king. They have been made with natural resources like ‘Ornament’ made with gold and ‘the Palace Altar’ made with ebony and ivory. They are also the symbols of the country and used in important matters. Each of these has symbolic meanings and added part of the animal body which are found easily in Africa.

The most materials of ‘Ornament’ are a pure gold and some paintings were over the some areas like a neckline of the figure in half moon shape. The ram’s head in the middle of it is the only creature in this piece, and the disk and half-moon-shaped piece are subjects to organize this artwork. The ream’s head is a symbol of Kush. A round - shaped figure behind the ram’s head face represents the sun and the disk represents an entryway to Kushan Temple. The round and the diamond patterns are repeated in half-moon- shaped figure. This artwork belongs to the tomb of Queen Amanishakheto.

Unlike ‘Ornament’, ‘the Palace Altar’ made with the ivory and ebony. This artwork is not combining and separated into several pieces. Four ebony materials of humanly faced shop are surrounded the king’s figure, and each of them has half- rounded ivory figure in different size on top of the head’s hole. Two small figures support king figure with a shield like they protect the king from the danger. Plenty of the bamboo was lined up behind the king figure, and bells in different shapes and sizes are around the king figure to show the center of the country is a king.

It is interesting to see the artwork with ebony and ivory materials. The color and texture of each material are smooth and very fantastic. I want to have some chance to sculpt with materials.