ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a dilemma for organization because of the striking variety of human and humanoid representations. Human figures seem to dominate the copper-alloy and terracotta/ceramic art works from southern Nigeria. From the idealized Ife heads and extraordinary figures from Tada and Jebba to the delicate Owo terracotta heads and more stylized cast heads and full figures of Benin, there are many examples of the artistic treatments of the human face and body. Relatively, the Benue River Valley sub-group of Lower Niger Bronzes suffers less than the other groupings that lack explicit data on specific origins of use or production. Many Tiv, Verre, and Jukun copper-alloy cast works have been collected within those communities, so their attributions seem safe.
