Africa, Katsina, modern day Nigeria, ca. 200 BCE to 100 CE. This is a wonderfully (almost)-complete hollow clay shrine figure with a metal bracelet around one wrist. The face is expressive, with a large overbite and small nose; the figure appears to wear a necklace and has close-cropped hair. Katsina state in modern day northwest Nigeria is in the Niger River Valley, roughly contemporary with the Nok culture to its south and the Sokoto culture in the same river valley, was located between the ancient city of Kano and trade routes that led across the Sahara to pharaonic Egypt. Bayard Rustin (yes that one!), who originally collected the Katsina collection for the Yale University Art Gallery, recorded that most terracotta pieces like this one were found in large manmade mounds. Characteristic Katsina figures, like those of the Sokoto culture, are large, hollow, thin-walled, and low-fired human figures. Most of these figures were probably attached to globular jars and may have been funerary markers. They are made of a rough earthenware mixed with quartz and mica and have a reddish slip made from either mica or schist. Size: 4.25" L x 7" W x 21.5" H (10.8 cm x 17.8 cm x 54.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex-Dr. Peter Arnovick Collection, Los Altos, CA.

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#112544

Intact aside from a small repair to the bottom back. There is a stress fracture on the head but the area remains intact. There is expected wear; most slip remains. The hands and feet have been broken off.