Standing Intact 2000 year old Terracotta Figure, Nok Culture, Nigeria

This terracotta figure belongs to the Nok culture, named after a village in Nigeria where the first similar terracottas and several artefacts were found. The town of Nok seems to have been one of the earliest African centres of terracotta figure production. Most of the Nok statues are hollow and coil-built, just like pottery. They were made of local clays and gravel, and they reveal an outstanding technical ability. Over time, the slip (a mixture of clay and water used to give the terracotta surface an even texture) has eroded. As a result, they now often have a grainy, pocked exterior. Many Nok figurines were sculpted in a similar way to woodcarving. Did the woodcarving tradition influence this development? It is striking that the heads of the terracotta figures are relatively large about their bodies. In later African traditions, this characteristic often reveals respect for intelligence. The features of the male and female statues are bold and abstracted. The pupils, nostrils and mouths of the figures are usually perforated. A lot of attention has been paid to the jewellery. Ciram certificat dd 2013 states 2080 +/- 180 years old. In excellent condition for its age.