Collective term for the artistic creations of the tribes and ethnic groups of sub-Saharan Africa. African ancestral sculptures, magical figures and masks are deeply rooted in religious and mythical tradition.

The people of Ashanti (Ghana today) developed significant goldsmith's art by its gold wealth. Wood carvings of Ashanti artists (mother and child figures, fertility dolls) are well-known as well.

For centuries, Benin (now Nigeria) has been ruled by powerful kings called obas. The obas were absolute rulers, who considered to be of divine origin. The heirs had a responsibility to preserve their memory. Large bronze altars and impressive head sculptures became a reminding heritage of the following generations. The bronze heads of excellent workmanship, cast using the lost wax process - the oldest date back to the 15th and 16th centuries - are outstanding evidence of African art.

Similarly famous are the shoulder masks of Baga in the West African country Guinea which can weigh up to 60 kg and the terracotta heads of Yoruba in Ife (Nigeria) which date from the 10th to 13th century.

The Kabyle, Guanche and Tuareg are the Berber tribes located in Northwest Africa. The art of Berber is characterized by abstraction and spontaneous creativity. The exceptional vitality of the Berber art is proving itself in assimilating into modern art movements.

In the manufacture of jewelry, the abstract geometric motifs are made as individual pieces and connected to long chain strands. The jewelery creations made of silver are especially popular and attractive.

A plastic work of sculptural art made of wood, stone, ivory, bronze or other metals.

While sculptures from wood, ivory or stone are made directly from the block of material, for bronze casting a working model is prepared at first. Usually it is made of clay or other easily shaped materials.

The prime time of sculpture after the Roman antiquity was the Renaissance. Impressionism gave a new impulse to the sculptural arts. Also the contemporary artists, such as Jorg Immendorf, Andora, and Markus Lupertz enriched the sculpture with outstanding works.

An alloy of copper with other metals (especially with tin) used since ancient times.

Bronze casting:

When casting bronze, artist usually applies the lost-wax technique which is dating back more than 5000 years. It's the best, but also the most complex method of producing sculptures.

Sculpture "The Book Reader" by Ernst Barlachs is shown here as an example:

First, the artist forms a model of his sculpture. It is embedded in a liquid silicone rubber composition. Once the material has solidified, the model is cut out. The liquid wax is poured in the negative mould. After cooling down, the wax casting is removed from the mould, provided with sprues and dipped into ceramic mass. The ceramic mass is hardened in a kiln, and the wax flows out (lost mould).

Now we finally have the negative form, into which the 1400 ° C hot molten bronze is poured. After the bronze had cooled down, the ceramic shell is broken off and the sculpture comes to light.

Now the sprues are removed, the surfaces are polished, patinated and numbered by the artist himself or, to his specifications, by a specialist. Thus, each casting becomes an original work