{"product_id":"nok-terracotta-head-open-mouth-combed-hair-ex-barnes-6-5in-age-untested","title":"Nok Terracotta Elongated Head on Stand Nigeria Ex Barnes 6.5in - Age Untested","description":"\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA tall terracotta head in the Nok tradition of Nigeria. The long, column-like head has pierced round eyes, pierced nostrils and a wide, round open mouth, which gives the face a striking, expressive look. The top of the head rises into a lobed crest, and rows of fine horizontal incised lines run around the back of the head, suggesting a hairstyle or head covering. The coarse buff-orange clay is full of small white mineral grains, which gives the surface a speckled, granular look. It is mounted on a metal pin set into a black block base, standing about 12 inches high in all, and makes a strong piece for a shelf, mantel or a collection of African terracotta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Age and Authenticity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis piece comes from a collection lot (ex Barnes) in which a companion piece was thermoluminescence (TL) tested by Artemis Testing Lab in February 2021, with an estimated age of about 2,200 years (±350). This piece itself has not been tested. We make no claim about its age and sell it as is. Buyers are welcome to arrange their own TL testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBackground\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nok culture of central Nigeria is known for some of the earliest figurative terracotta sculpture in sub-Saharan Africa. Nok heads often have pierced eyes, nostrils and mouths, and many show elaborate hairstyles or headwear. Some heads, like this one, have an open mouth. This head is a fragment of a larger figure and is unmarked. It is from an ex Barnes collection batch (Jerald Barnes, an American collector who lived in West Africa for over a decade).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fragment broken at the neck, with wear along the break. The surface is weathered and granular, with earth deposits in the pierced openings and incised lines. There is a small dark line on the forehead above the right eye. No repairs are visible. Please see all photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDimensions \u0026amp; Weight\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe head is about 6.5 x 4 x 3.5 inches (H x W x D), and about 12 inches high on its stand. The head and stand together weigh about 4 lb 0.1 oz.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree standard shipping within the US, packed securely.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Belle Afrik Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60392905539870,"sku":"BA-1517","price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1081\/5176\/7326\/files\/WhatsAppImage2026-10-20at19.04.59_3.jpg?v=1792538270","url":"https:\/\/belleafrikarts.com\/products\/nok-terracotta-head-open-mouth-combed-hair-ex-barnes-6-5in-age-untested","provider":"Belle Afrik Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}