Nok Or Sokoto Djenne Terracotta Clay Sculpture Nigeria

A head or fragment of a male figure made out of terracotta (Baked clay-ceramic). The age of this interesting figure is unknown. I have not had this piece thermoluminescence tested for age, but can recommend a laboratory if you would like one. The softened features of this figure indicate some long age and wear through time and perhaps location.

African terracotta (baked clay) figures are at once some of oldest recorded sculpture from Sub-Saharan Africa but equally some of the most problematical as well. They often are difficult to place among a people or culture and equally difficult to date. African terracotta figures are fired at a low temperature and are subject to surface abrasion and wear, therefore details of the face or body parts and dress or jewelry may be lost through wear and age. The clay sculpture figure tradition is still being defined in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa, however this figure could well be placed in the Nigerian tradition, especially in the northern Nok complex of styles.This head shares certain stylistic elements with figures from northern Nigeria, the famous Nok complex of terracotta figures. The forms of the eyes, nose, and the mouth relate this head stylistically to figures often found among the Nok culture. Clay sculpture found at Nok and other Nigerian sites are some of the earliest examples of figurative art found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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