Nigeria fortunately happens to be one of such blessed countries. Less widely spread but still of great-significance are the sculptures in stone and wood such as the Ikorn monoleths and the famous Oron-Ekpu wood carvings.
The figure carvings and low relief decorations on panel in traditional style represent one of the most important forms of arts in Nigeria. Often these works are in white wood, “iroko”, as well as ebony.
Though places like“Benin” and “Awka” are acknowledged as center of wood-carving, wood carvers have flourished all over southern Nigeria since time immemorial, making figures for shrines, portraiture, masks, representations of the spirits of the field, forest stream, earth, sea, sky, water, fire and thunder.
The works of old carvers remain in many villages where they provide the villages with their shrines, utensils and ornaments to this day. Many of the older examples of these products are preserved in the national and other museums.
The figure carvings and low relief decorations on panel in traditional style represent one of the most important forms of arts in Nigeria. Often these works are in white wood, “iroko”, as well as ebony.
Though places like“Benin” and “Awka” are acknowledged as center of wood-carving, wood carvers have flourished all over southern Nigeria since time immemorial, making figures for shrines, portraiture, masks, representations of the spirits of the field, forest stream, earth, sea, sky, water, fire and thunder.
The works of old carvers remain in many villages where they provide the villages with their shrines, utensils and ornaments to this day. Many of the older examples of these products are preserved in the national and other museums.
