African collection

Permanent event at the Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, United States

30 August 2017

Senufo, Côte d'Ivoire, Mask (Kponyungo), Mid-19th/mid-20th century

The Art Institute’s African collection includes over 400 works that highlight the diversity of tradition-based arts on the continent, with emphasis on the sculptural traditions of West and Central Africa.

Included are masks and figural sculpture, beadwork, furniture, regalia, and textiles from countries including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa. The Art Institute’s collection of over 80 African ceramics is the largest in an American art museum.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago collects, preserves, and interprets works of art of the highest quality, representing the world’s diverse artistic traditions, for the inspiration and education of the public and in accordance with our profession’s highest ethical standards and practices.

Museum profile

Location

Chicago, United States

Founded in

1879

Attributed to Idowu Olalaiye (active, early/mid-20th century), Yoruba
Ota, Awori region, Nigeria, Headdress for Gelede (Igi), Early/mid-20th century

Abogunde of Ede (active late 19th century)
Yoruba, Ede, Oyo region, Nigeria, Female Figure with Offering Bowl, Late 19th century

Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Drinking Horn, Mid-/late 19th century

Attributed to Idowu Olalaiye (active, early/mid-20th century), Yoruba Ota, Awori region, Nigeria, Headdress for Gelede (Igi), Early/mid-20th century
Abogunde of Ede (active late 19th century) Yoruba, Ede, Oyo region, Nigeria, Female Figure with Offering Bowl, Late 19th century
Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Drinking Horn, Mid-/late 19th century

Abogunde of Ede (active late 19th century) Yoruba, Ede, Oyo region, Nigeria, Female Figure with Offering Bowl, Late 19th century
Kuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Drinking Horn, Mid-/late 19th century
Attributed to Idowu Olalaiye (active, early/mid-20th century), Yoruba Ota, Awori region, Nigeria, Headdress for Gelede (Igi), Early/mid-20th century