Nok Culture

-Found in North central Nigeria off the edge of the Jos Plateau- The oldest known example of terracotta sculpture in Africa south of the Sahara

- Dates from 3000-1000 Before the Present (1000 BC- 1000 AD)- -wide diversity of subject matter

- With considerable variation in style, treatment and scale- Highly skilled in the creation of full-length human figures- -well organized social, political and religious structures

- Art depicting images of dignitaries: rulers, priests and heroes- Iron working culture

- With fragments of iron and beads recovered from furnaces

Style Elements

-elaborate coiffureCylindrical heads

Pierced eyes, nose, mouth, and earsSemi-circular/triangular eyes and lids

Ears set back, often low and smallFlared nostrils

Map of Nigeria depicting the various ancient cultures

Head,2500-800 BP(500BC-200AD)Terracotta

Jemaa Head,Nok 2500 BP(500BC)Terracotta

Figure of a warrior,Nok, Terracotta,n/d

Composite of man/birda.k.a birdmanTerracottaNok1750BP(250AD)

Janus faced statuetteNokTerracotta,n/d

Crouching Pendant Statue,NokTerraccotta2250 BP(250BC)

Coiled snake, Nok, Terracotta, n/d

Titled Male FigureNok,Terracotta2450BP(450BC)

Female pillar statue,NokTerracotta2150BP(150BC)

Animal Imagery in the Nok corpus

Composite of man/birda.k.a birdmanTerracottaNok1750BP(250AD)

Catfish or serpent, Nok, terracotta, 2300BP

Elephant, Nok, Terracotta, 2050BP

Elephanthead,Nok,Terracotta,2500BP

Bust of a man with mudfish,Nok,Terracotta,2250BP

Composite of man-leopard bustNok,Terracotta,2250 BP

Torso of a Lion Cub,Nok,Terracotta,2400 BP

Statue on bended knee with Elephant and Feline,Nok, Terracotta,2350 BP

Seated Statue Holding a Feline,Nok,Terracotta,2150 BP

Inland Niger Delta:Djenne, Mali700-500 BP

(13th-15th century)

Map of West Africa depicting the major culture areas

Style Elements:The figurative sculptures have generalized rounded forms;

Heads are flattened elongated shapes that are tilted upward with Bulging eyes and everted lips;

Some of the figures are clothed, with elaborate decorative patternsand body art sometimes rendered in color

They exhibit a broad range of iconographic themes and subject matterIncluding, maternity figures, equestrians, hunters, warriors and female figures

Depicted standing, seating, reclining or mounted on horsebackOther zoomorphic imagery include snakes, with or without humans

Connected with religious symbolism and agrarian and human fertility.

Some of the imagery might have represented legendary heroes,and founding ancestors

Seated figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.44.3cm

Archer figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.61 cm (24 3/8 in.)

Horse and rider,Djenne, MaliTerracottaH 44x17x30 cm

Bearded figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h. 38.1 cm

Kneeling figure with snake,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.57 cm

Figure,Djenne, MaliTerracotta,h.29.5 cm

Pair of figures,Bankoni, MaliTerracottah. 33.8 cm

Three pots, Bankoni, Mali terracotta, 54x22x22 cm

Ritual pot,Djenne, Maliterracotta

Ritual pot,Djenne, Mali,terracotta

Ritual pot,Djenne, Mali, terracotta

Standing figure,Djenne, MaliBronze,h.24 cm

Male figure,Djenne, MaliIron, bronzeh. 49.5 cm

Royal ornament,Djenne, MaliCopper, brassh.11.4 cm

Crest Mask,Chiwara,Bamana, MaliWood,20th century