Nok terracotta head - enough - enough - Nigeria
04
days
10
hours
42
minutes
16
seconds
Current bid
€ 125
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 550 - € 650
 | €125 |
|---|
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Description from the seller
The Nok culture, first unearthed in Nigeria in the first half of the twentieth century, remains an enigma in the history of Africa and its art traditions. Flourishing in the Iron Age between 500 B.C. and 200 C.E., it was a center of magnificent ceramic artistry, most famously shown by the exquisite fragments of figures and busts that have survived to the present day. Often excavated without archaeological methodology and a prize for looters, Nok art has largely come to light without the scientific context required to place it coherently in the historical mosaic. As such, little is yet known about these remarkable figures, the artists that created them, and the civilization in which they came to be.
Heads and faces held a highly prominent place in Nok art, and are the most iconic objects in the corpus to date. Proportionately large relative to the bodies to which they belong, they depict both men and women with large, bold, somewhat abstracted features. While every Nok head is unique, common traits include triangular eyes and perforated pupils, noses, mouths, and ears. Some show elaborately detailed hairstyles and jewelry that speak to an avid culture of body adornment among the Nok.
The facial fragment presented here exemplifies classic Nok design, with a large protruding mouth and prominent nose shaped with an exuberant fullness. Nostrils and lips are sharply defined with outlines. The reddish clay surface, now roughly textured and pitted, would originally have been smoothed to a fine finish with a slip.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.
Seller's Story
Montagut Gallery
Gallery specializing in African tribal art
Montagut Gallery is a gallery specializing in African tribal art, a space devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the African continent. Founded in 1990 in Barcelona, the gallery has been a beacon for lovers of tribal art, thanks to the drive and passion of Guilhem Montagut.
Guided by his deep interest in tribal art, Guilhem Montagut immersed himself in this fascinating world through the influence of Rachel Montagut, pioneer and visionary in the world of African tribal art, founder and prominent gallerist. Since then, the gallery has remained true to its mission of spreading the beauty and importance of African art on the international art scene.
Montagut Gallery’s presence extends beyond the borders of Barcelona, actively participating in world-renowned fairs such as TEFAF Maastricht, Brafa Art Fair, Paris Tribal, Parcours des Mondes, and FAB.
The gallery is dedicated to organizing multidisciplinary exhibitions that dialogue and juxtapose African art with other artistic languages, creating a space for cultural exchange and reflection. Its aim is to raise awareness and help people understand that African art is not only a unique cultural expression but also an integral and indispensable part of the world’s art history heritage.
Translated by Google TranslateThe Nok culture, first unearthed in Nigeria in the first half of the twentieth century, remains an enigma in the history of Africa and its art traditions. Flourishing in the Iron Age between 500 B.C. and 200 C.E., it was a center of magnificent ceramic artistry, most famously shown by the exquisite fragments of figures and busts that have survived to the present day. Often excavated without archaeological methodology and a prize for looters, Nok art has largely come to light without the scientific context required to place it coherently in the historical mosaic. As such, little is yet known about these remarkable figures, the artists that created them, and the civilization in which they came to be.
Heads and faces held a highly prominent place in Nok art, and are the most iconic objects in the corpus to date. Proportionately large relative to the bodies to which they belong, they depict both men and women with large, bold, somewhat abstracted features. While every Nok head is unique, common traits include triangular eyes and perforated pupils, noses, mouths, and ears. Some show elaborately detailed hairstyles and jewelry that speak to an avid culture of body adornment among the Nok.
The facial fragment presented here exemplifies classic Nok design, with a large protruding mouth and prominent nose shaped with an exuberant fullness. Nostrils and lips are sharply defined with outlines. The reddish clay surface, now roughly textured and pitted, would originally have been smoothed to a fine finish with a slip.
Provenance: Jean-Michel Huguenin, Paris
The seller guarantees and can prove that the object was obtained legally. The seller was informed by Catawiki that they had to provide the documentation required by the laws and regulations in their country of residence. The seller guarantees and is entitled to sell/export this object. The seller will provide all provenance information known about the object to the buyer. The seller ensures that any necessary permits are/will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer immediately about any delays in obtaining such permits.
Seller's Story
Montagut Gallery
Gallery specializing in African tribal art
Montagut Gallery is a gallery specializing in African tribal art, a space devoted to exploring and celebrating the rich artistic heritage of the African continent. Founded in 1990 in Barcelona, the gallery has been a beacon for lovers of tribal art, thanks to the drive and passion of Guilhem Montagut.
Guided by his deep interest in tribal art, Guilhem Montagut immersed himself in this fascinating world through the influence of Rachel Montagut, pioneer and visionary in the world of African tribal art, founder and prominent gallerist. Since then, the gallery has remained true to its mission of spreading the beauty and importance of African art on the international art scene.
Montagut Gallery’s presence extends beyond the borders of Barcelona, actively participating in world-renowned fairs such as TEFAF Maastricht, Brafa Art Fair, Paris Tribal, Parcours des Mondes, and FAB.
The gallery is dedicated to organizing multidisciplinary exhibitions that dialogue and juxtapose African art with other artistic languages, creating a space for cultural exchange and reflection. Its aim is to raise awareness and help people understand that African art is not only a unique cultural expression but also an integral and indispensable part of the world’s art history heritage.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
enough
Number of objects
1
Ethnic group/ culture
enough
Country of Origin
Nigeria
Material
Terracotta
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Fair condition
Title of artwork
Nok terracotta head
Height
18 cm
Width
14 cm
Depth
9 cm
Provenance
Auction house
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
