A coarse terracotta head, with relief cap hairdo and short chin beard.
Supplied on a custom-made base.
 
Nok culture, Iron Age Nigeria, 500 BC - 200 AD.
 
Condition: Surface wear, loss along back left.
Height: 9 cms (3.5 ins).
Height: with base 13 cms (5.1 ins)
 
Provenance: Estate of Dr. Walter Wallace, Princeton, NJ. USA
 
Nok was an ancient Iron Age culture that existed on the Benue Plateau of Nigeria between about 500 BC. and 200 AD. The Nok farmed crops and used iron tools. Historians and archaeologists refer to this culture as the Nok culture because artifacts were first discovered near the modern Nigerian town of Nok. Nok culture is known for its unique terracotta sculptures and its early iron working.