Description:

Africa, Northeast Nigeria, Katsina, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A finely modeled head from the Katsina culture of ancient Nigeria that displays all the stylistic dictates embraced by the Katsina culture such as the oval shaped face, the half-closed eyes, short nose, and jutting chin - all characteristics adhered to by most Katsina sculptors. He wears nothing but a small beanie cap and sits in a seemingly entranced state with bent knees, his feet with fabulously delineated toes sticking out from under them. This together with his half closed eyes and open perhaps chanting or singing mouth indicate that he may be engaged in a prayerful ritual. The Katsina aesthetic shares affinities with that of classical Nok, such as the globular eyes, however the blend of abstract and somewhat naturalistic features departs a bit and seems to aspire to portraiture. A rare and elegant example. Custom stand. Size: piece itself measures 6" L x 5.5" W x 14.5" H (15.2 cm x 14 cm x 36.8 cm); 16.25" (41.3 cm) H on stand

Provenance: Ex- Peter Arnovick collcection

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#113407

  • Condition: Arms missing and abrasions to ears and knees. A section as shown, but quite a nice section indeed.

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April 20, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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