Existing comment:
ROYAL ARTS
Africa has a number of important kingdoms. As in Europe, Africa's royal courts have been places of extraordinary displays of ritual, ceremony, wealth, and highly developed art forms. However, most African royalty is distinct from that of Europe in that African rulers have often been believed to be divine, and this belief is reinforced through myth and visual symbols. Because of the economic, social, religious, and political power of African monarchs, the most valued human and material resources in any kingdom are controlled by kings or queens. As a result, objects created for royalty are some of the most visually and technically spectacular examples of African art that can be seen in this collection. Precious materials such as gold, bronze, silk, imported beads, and elephant ivory are common in the royal arts of the Asante, Benin, Cameroon Grasslands, Congo, and Yoruba kingdoms. |