Introduction
MOWAA’s first historical collections display spans over three millennia, with the earliest work dating to around 1000 BCE. From the ancient city of Jenne-Jeno in Mali to the Benin Empire, the works showcased in this display reflect the artistry, ingenuity, and craftsmanship of diverse West African civilisations. Featuring clay vessels, archaeological finds, and works of bronze, wood and a diverse array of materials, this collection display reflects both the everyday and the ceremonial, the intimate and the monumental.
At the Institute, we forge connections through acts of care, research, learning, and reinterpretation. Each object in this collection embodies this ethos. Many of the works in this display are being exhibited for the first time, including works that have never been shown in Nigeria, offering a glimpse into MOWAA’s evolving conservation practice.