Description:

Africa, Northern Nigeria, Nok, ca. 500 BCE to 200 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 open triangular 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: 5" L x 5" W x 7.5" H (12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 19 cm)

Provenance: Ex Peter Arnovick Collection, Los Altos CA

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#112211

  • Condition: A large head fragment with a rough surface and losses to coiffure as shown. While the piece appears to be solid, the interior has been occupied by very tightly compacted earth and debris from broken hollow-ware figures which has solidified into an equally dense and hard material. Overall, a very fine example.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 16, 2016 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000