Arts of Africa

Art Institute of Chicago · 1,061 artworks

The collection encompasses over 3,000 works of art from across the African continent, representing diverse artistic traditions from antiquity to the present. Highlights include Benin bronzes, Yoruba beadwork, and contemporary African art.

Featured Artworks

Veranda Post (Òpó Ògògá) by Olowe of Ise

Veranda Post (Òpó Ògògá)

Olowe of Ise

1910-14

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) by Vili

Male Figure (Nkisi Nkondi)

Vili

Probably early to mid-19th century

Coffin and Mummy of Paankhaenamun by Ancient Egyptian

Coffin and Mummy of Paankhaenamun

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 22, reign of Osorkon I (about 924–889 BCE)

Triptych Icon by Unknown

Triptych Icon

Unknown

Late 17th century

Stela of Amenemhat and Hemet by Ancient Egyptian

Stela of Amenemhat and Hemet

Ancient Egyptian

Middle Kingdom, early Dynasty 12, about 1956–1877 BCE

Chair (Kiti Cha Enzi) by Swahili

Chair (Kiti Cha Enzi)

Swahili

19th century

Headrest (Isicamelo) by Unknown

Headrest (Isicamelo)

Unknown

19th century

Fertility Figure by Unknown

Fertility Figure

Unknown

19th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Bracelet by Islamic

Bracelet

Islamic

14th-15th century

Robe (Boubou Lomasa) by Soninke

Robe (Boubou Lomasa)

Soninke

Late 19th century

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet by Ancient Egyptian

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–30 (664–343 BCE)

Amulet of a Necklace Counter Weight by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Necklace Counter Weight

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21–25 (1070–656 BCE)

Amulet of a Djed Pillar by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Djed Pillar

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21–25 (1070–525 BCE)

Pectoral Amulet of the Goddess Bastet by Ancient Egyptian

Pectoral Amulet of the Goddess Bastet

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–30 (664–343 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of a Seated Lion-headed Goddess Holding a Sistrum, possibly Bastet by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Seated Lion-headed Goddess Holding a Sistrum, possibly Bastet

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasties 22–25 (about 945–664 BCE)

Amulet of the God Anubis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Anubis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Anubis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Anubis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Anubis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Anubis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Bes by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Bes

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasties 21–25 (about 1069–664 BCE)

Amulet of Pataikos by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of Pataikos

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Ptah by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Ptah

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of Pataikos by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of Pataikos

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period–Late Period, Dynasty 21–31 (about 1069–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Anubis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Anubis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of a Headrest by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Headrest

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the God Thoth by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Thoth

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of a Lion-headed Walking Goddess, possibly Bastet by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Lion-headed Walking Goddess, possibly Bastet

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasties 21–25 (about 1069–664 BCE)

Amulet of a Writing Tablet by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of a Writing Tablet

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period (664–332 BCE)

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet by Ancient Egyptian

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet

Ancient Egyptian

Third Intermediate Period, Dynasty 21–25 (about 1069–664 BCE)

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet by Ancient Egyptian

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the Goddess Isis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the Goddess Isis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period–Ptolemaic Period (7th–1st century BCE)

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet by Ancient Egyptian

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasty 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

Amulet of the Goddess Isis by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the Goddess Isis

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period–Ptolemaic Period (7th–1st century BCE)

Amulet of the God Mahes by Ancient Egyptian

Amulet of the God Mahes

Ancient Egyptian

Late Period, Dynasties 26–31 (664–332 BCE)

    Send Feedback