ancientpeoples: Terracotta head Nigeria, Nok region ca. 600 BC-AD 250 Although probably a fragment

ancientpeoples:

Terracotta head

Nigeria, Nok region

ca. 600 BC-AD 250

Although probably a fragment of a nearly life-size male seated figure, this head is remarkably well preserved. The Nok terracottas may have been part of a shrine or temple or were placed on a tomb. The identities of the portrayed figures remain unknown, but the adornments and elaborate hairstyles and headdresses seem to indicate that they represent notables or leaders.

From the Cleveland Museum of Art

Head (Nok Terracotta) - Sub-saharan Africa

ca. 500 BC - 200 BCE

Sculptures like this one have come to be called Nok Terracottas. Triangular eyes, abstracted features and the use of subtractive sculpting techniques are characteristic of these Nok heads. Most of these heads are found by themselves; however, in some instances full body sculptures have been found in this style. The full terra-cotta sculptures are life-sized but tend to have a disproportionately large head compared to the body.

 Unfortunately not much is known about the Nok culture and their reasonings behind their artistic decisions, but it should be noted that in later African art a large head can reflect respect for intelligence. The lack of information regarding how many of these heads were buried and found is due to the lack of documentation when finding pieces from this culture. However the Nok culture was one of the earliest centers of ironworking and terracotta figure production in Africa, that is one thing we do know for sure. 

Source: The Met