"Detroit Institute of Arts" 
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Telephone    313.833.7900

The DIA’s collection of artwork from African, Oceanic, and New World cultures ranks among the finest in the United States and reflects the longstanding commitment to the non-Western arts.

African Art

Showcasing many outstanding masterpieces––mainly from West and Central Africa, and Egypt––the African collection represents nearly one hundred cultures of various size and complexity. From simple nomadic peoples, such as the Tuareg and Fulani, to large, centuries-old kingdoms, such as Benin and the Kuba, the art of this collection provides a glimpse into the daily life and traditions of a wide-range of African cultures.

Equestrian Figure
Nigeria, Benin
Mid 16th-century
Bronze
Height: 47 cm (18 in.)
Gift of Mrs. Walter B. Ford
1992.290

A lack of written records from many lost African kingdoms sometimes prohibits pinpointing the exact meaning of a work; the true identity of this bronze horse and rider, which was placed on royal altars more than three hundred years ago, has eluded scholars to this day. The figure, which may represent a defeated king or warrior from another culture, could have celebrated a great victory in battle. Or, it could depict the divine king, the Benin oba, himself, since horses were a rare luxury reserved for royalty. Other scholars believe the rider commemorates Oranmiyan, a prince from a neighboring kingdom who founded the royal lineage and introduced horses to the new kingdom.

Works from West Africa include some significant historical pieces: early terracotta sculptures from Nok (5th century BC - 200 AD) and the medieval city of Jenne (14th-century AD); several fine Benin alloyed copper sculptures; a memorial head of a queen mother, an equestrian figure and two architectural plaques; and one finely crafted Asante gold soul-washer’s badge reputed to have belonged to the 19th-century ruler King Kofi Karakari. Of the numerous exquisite 20th-century pieces, the works by two renowned Yoruba artists— the superbly carved palace door by Olowe of Ise and a magnificent Epa mask by Bamgboye of Odo—remain by far the most outstanding.

Nail Figure (nkisi n'konde)
about 1875–1900
Zaire, Yombe
Wood, screws, nails, blades, cowrie shell, other materials
Height: 116.8 cm (46 in.)
Eleanor Clay Ford Fund for African Art
76.79

This Nail Figure served as doctor, judge and priest. It was carved to capture the power of spirits (minkisi, singular nkisi), which was necessary for healing and judging disputes. The figure was filled with powerful magical substances (bilongo) by priests (naganga) who tended it in a shrine and made its spirit powers available to individuals. The large cowrie shell held strong medicines that gave the sculpture its power. This nkisi n'konde would have originally worn a large beard and a straw skirt. When an agreement was reached, both sides would swear an oath before the nkisi n'konde and drive iron blades or nails into it to seal the oath. In this way the figure’s supernatural powers could be called upon to punish those who broke their oaths.

Highlights of the Central and East African collections include two breath-taking power figures from Kongo (nkisi nkonde) and Songye cultures; a Hemba ancestor (singiti); several high-status and ceremonial headdresses and royal thrones in wood and beadwork; the famous triad of Kuba royal masks; and an18th-century Ethiopian Christian triptych. In addition, an already extensive corpus of fine quality Kuba raffia-embroidered cloths acquired in the early 20th-century has been greatly enriched in the last decade by the acquisition of several Asante and Ewe woven kente textiles and one of finest stamped Asante adinkra textiles in existence.

The collection of Egyptian art is quite extensive, and represents Pharaonic and Coptic cultures. All media and materials are represented, ranging from stone and metal to papyrus and glass, including Egyptian relief carvings.

CLOSED Monday and Tuesday
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
10 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday
10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

"Detroit Institute of Arts"