Portrait Head with Elaborate Coiffure

Origin: Nok Culture, Nigeria
Composition: terracotta

The Nok civilization of Nigeria, an agricultural and iron-smelting culture, flourished from 1000 B.C. – 1000 A.D. Only about 1000 Nigerian terracotta objects, mostly human figures and heads, have been discovered, and their meaning and function can only be speculated. It is believed that they represented ancestors, rulers, or deities, or were used in healing rituals, served as burial wealth, or served as shrine centerpieces.

This spectacular, large, unrestored portrait head wears an elaborate coiffure, which is thought to be a demonstration of prestige and power.

Thermoluminescence tested and auth-enticated by Daybreak Archaeometric Laboratory Services (Connecticut), this piece was found to have been fired (created) between 309 and 949 A.D.

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