Lot 89A
Africa, Northern Nigeria, Nok, ca. 500 BCE to 600 CE. A wonderful terracotta head from one of the earliest African centers of figural sculpture and ironworks. Although every Nok head that I have encountered is unique in some way, this head displays all of the telltale characteristics of the classical Nok style - an enlarged haughty head, high smooth forehead, wide set eyes with perforated pupils, boldly delineated lids, dramatically arched incised brows, and an elaborately detailed coiffure. Originally, this head would have been attached to a body and would have presented a smooth slip-finished appearance which has eroded over time, as is often the case. Such remarkable sophistication achieved by a Nok sculptor more than two thousand years ago, a rare example! Custom, museum quality stand. Size: 11" H (27.9 cm); 13.5" H (34.3 cm) on included custom stand.
This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) and has been found to be anciet. A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: ex-Peter Arnovick Collection, San Francisco, California, USA
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#112299
- Condition: Missing a few elements, area from torso down gone, face itself rather excellent.
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