Description:

Ancient West Africa, Nigeria, Nok culture, ca. 500 BCE to 200 CE. A rare example of a hand-built terracotta figure sitting upon folded legs and wearing a lengthy skirt. The figure holds the left arm to one side and holds remains of the right hand atop the flared, vertically striated hat. The highly stylized countenance bears enormous almond-shaped eyes with impressed pupils, a tall nose with flared nostrils and a chained conical nose ornament, and full lips above a beehive-shaped pectoral ornament. This figure is from a mysterious and understudied ceramic tradition that represents the artistic output of one of Africa's earliest centers of ironworking and pottery production. Size: 1.875" W x 4.2" H (4.8 cm x 10.7 cm)

Provenance: ex-private old New England, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s

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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#154324

  • Condition: Loss to most of right arm as shown. Minor nicks and abrasions to base, legs, body, and head, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

July 16, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000