
Photograph: PR

The kingdom of Ife was a powerful, cosmopolitan city-state in west Africa
Photograph: David Levene

Ife flourished as a political, spiritual, cultural and economic centre in the 12th–15th centuries
Photograph: PR

The artists of Ife developed a refined, naturalistic sculptural tradition in stone, terracotta, brass and copper
Photograph: PR

The sculptural style they created was unlike anything seen in Africa before
Photograph: PR

The casting process used to create the sculptures was extremely sophisticated
Photograph: PR

The human figures portray a wide cross-section of society
Photograph: PR

The sculptures include images of youth and old age, health and disease, suffering and serenity
Photograph: PR

The Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from west Africa runs from 4 March to 6 June at the British Museum
Photograph: David Levene