Kingdom of Ife

Sculpture from West Africa, at the British Museum until 6 June. Wonderful statues in brass, copper, stone, terracotta.I liked the striations on the faces, and the beads modelled as part of the statues -
Some of the carvings were of symbolic animals, like the chameleon - it can swivel its eyes independently and thus see both forward and backward at the same time -
Two cast metal rings were impressive; they were possibly used as stands for offerings. One showed vultures pecking at bodies (presumably of captives) and the other was less gruesome - intertwined reptiles, each cluster with a snail.

Couldn't resist taking a photo of the lighting and shadows -