Ancient African Nok Terracotta Male Head
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Description
**First Time At Auction**
West Africa, Northern Nigeria, Nok culture, ca. 500 BCE to 600 CE. A hand-built and hollow terracotta head of a man with a pecked beard and a prominent chin. The neckline is incised with dozens of striations as part of a larger funerary vessel, and the hair is created with hundreds of pecked nodules. The creator of this piece originally adorned it with slip and fired it to attain a smooth texture. As is the case with most surviving Nok sculpture, this slip has worn away leaving a charming form, nonetheless. Size: 5.5" L x 4.25" W x 8" H (14 cm x 10.8 cm x 20.3 cm); 10.4" H (26.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#180785
West Africa, Northern Nigeria, Nok culture, ca. 500 BCE to 600 CE. A hand-built and hollow terracotta head of a man with a pecked beard and a prominent chin. The neckline is incised with dozens of striations as part of a larger funerary vessel, and the hair is created with hundreds of pecked nodules. The creator of this piece originally adorned it with slip and fired it to attain a smooth texture. As is the case with most surviving Nok sculpture, this slip has worn away leaving a charming form, nonetheless. Size: 5.5" L x 4.25" W x 8" H (14 cm x 10.8 cm x 20.3 cm); 10.4" H (26.4 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-collection of the late Peter Arnovick, San Francisco, California, USA, acquired before 1995
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 to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#180785
Condition
Fragment of a larger vessel lid as shown, with small losses to nose, neckline, and some hair nodules, otherwise in great condition. Wonderful preservation to facial details and overall form.
Buyer's Premium
- 26.5%
Ancient African Nok Terracotta Male Head
Estimate $1,400 - $2,100
3 bidders are watching this item.
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Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
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