Overview
A terracotta head in the Sokoto tradition of northwestern Nigeria, mounted on a black wood display stand. The face has narrow slit eyes under a heavy, arched brow ridge with fine incised lines, a broad nose and full, closed lips. Curved incised lines run across the cheeks below the eyes, and an ear on one side is marked with short incised strokes. At the back of the head a band of incised geometric panels runs around the neck. The orange clay is coarse and gritty, with small white mineral grains through the surface. The stand lifts the head so it can be seen from all sides, and it suits a desk, shelf or a collection of African terracotta.
About Age and Authenticity
This head 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.
Background
Sokoto terracottas come from northwestern Nigeria and are generally dated to roughly the last centuries BCE and early centuries CE, around the same period as the Nok culture of central Nigeria. Sokoto heads are known for heavy brows and strongly modeled faces. This head is from an ex Barnes collection batch (Jerald Barnes, an American collector who lived in West Africa for over a decade).
Condition
A head broken from a larger figure, with a rough break at the neck. A long crack down the back and side of the neck has been repaired and is stable. There is a broken-out area on the top and side of the head, and the surface is weathered and granular, with earth deposits and wear to the nose and features. The head is fixed to a black wood block stand, which shows light wear. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The head is about 4.5 inches high, 3.0 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep (H x W x D). It weighs about 1 lb 11 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
