African archaeology, Nigeria, ‘Sokoto culture’, 500 B.C.-200 A.D.: A head made of terracotta, in the typical style of the ‘Sokoto culture’.
African archaeology, Nigeria, ‘Sokoto culture’, 500 B.C.-200 A.D.: A head made of terracotta, in the typical style of the ‘Sokoto culture’.
It was only in the early 1990s that in the area near the city of Sokoto, in northwestern Nigeria, terracotta objects displaying a special, consistent style were found. These items, mostly heads and figures, were called ‘Sokoto culture’ after the place were they had first been found. Just like the ‘Nok culture’ further south, they were dated to a period between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D. The present, relatively small male head displays all the typical features of the ‘Sokoto style’: Made and baked from a hollow piece of reddish terracotta. The head displays a large, round calotte, with offset, slightly raised hairstyle, over a high, broad forehead. The eyebrows are sketched by means of incised hatchings and appear to ‘hang’ over the small, slit eyes (typical ‘Sokoto style’!). Equally characteristic are the short, wide nose, the moustache reaching beyond the corners of the mouth, and the goatee. An old piece, probably from an original whole figure. No significant damage.
500 B.C. to 200 A.D.; H: 13 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian Private Collection. Lit.: ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, fig. 373, 419.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
26.05.2015 - 15:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 1,000.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,600.- to EUR 1,800.-
African archaeology, Nigeria, ‘Sokoto culture’, 500 B.C.-200 A.D.: A head made of terracotta, in the typical style of the ‘Sokoto culture’.
It was only in the early 1990s that in the area near the city of Sokoto, in northwestern Nigeria, terracotta objects displaying a special, consistent style were found. These items, mostly heads and figures, were called ‘Sokoto culture’ after the place were they had first been found. Just like the ‘Nok culture’ further south, they were dated to a period between 500 B.C. and 200 A.D. The present, relatively small male head displays all the typical features of the ‘Sokoto style’: Made and baked from a hollow piece of reddish terracotta. The head displays a large, round calotte, with offset, slightly raised hairstyle, over a high, broad forehead. The eyebrows are sketched by means of incised hatchings and appear to ‘hang’ over the small, slit eyes (typical ‘Sokoto style’!). Equally characteristic are the short, wide nose, the moustache reaching beyond the corners of the mouth, and the goatee. An old piece, probably from an original whole figure. No significant damage.
500 B.C. to 200 A.D.; H: 13 cm. (ME)
Provenance: Austrian Private Collection. Lit.: ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, fig. 373, 419.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 26.05.2015 - 15:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 20.05. - 26.05.2015 |
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