Auction details |
Africa, Nigeria, Nok, c. 600BC-200AD, an earth toned terra cotta janiform head. Simplistic features with eyes, ears and nostrils represented with small holes; eyebrows and mouth are incised. Round donut shaped object atop head. Ht: 4.5". Some typical age cracks and chips especially at base. Rare and in nice condition. Nigeria is part of the Central Sudanic Stylistic Region. Nigeria is unusual in that its modern-day inhabitants either settled there very early in its history or adapted to the long established traditions they found there. The first objects connected to the early Nok culture were discovered on the site of a tin mine. They were identified as Nok by the archaeologist Bernard Fagg in 1943. Radiocarbon dating has place the original pieces to between 500 BC and AD 200. Terra-cotta sculptures from c.600 BC to AD 200, associated with the Nok culture, have been unearthed over a 300-mile stretch of uplands in the southern part of the region. The Nok tradition represents the earliest known sculpture yet found in sub-Saharan Africa and seems to have paved the way for the tradition of superb portrait terra-cottas and bronzes that later developed at the holy city of Ife in western Nigeria. The art of Ife in turn inspired and stimulated the later Benin and Yoruba artforms.
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