Overview
This lecture discusses a life-sized terracotta head from the Nok culture in Nigeria, highlighting its artistic features, archaeological context, and cultural significance.
Discovery and Context
- The Nok terracottas are among the oldest known sculptures from sub-Saharan Africa, dating back around 2,500 years.
- These artifacts are named after the village of Nok, Nigeria, where the first example was found.
- Objects are often discovered by farmers, usually without proper archaeological methods, leading to limited contextual information.
- The actual culture that created them is unknown due to their age.
Materials and Techniques
- Nok terracottas are made from hollow terracotta clay, originally covered with a slip (fine clay with iron oxide).
- Color was applied to the surface, but it is no longer present.
- Sculptures were made using either a coiling or subtractive method (hollowing out from a clay block).
- Decorative details, such as geometric facial features, were created by incising and scraping the surface.
Artistic Features
- The heads are life-sized, with the bodies generally smaller in scale, emphasizing the head's importance.
- Typical features include triangular eyes with perforated pupils and arched eyebrows.
- Hair is depicted with raised mounds and striations indicating parting and combing.
- The mouth is slightly open, suggesting speech or animation.
Cultural Significance
- These objects were contemporaneous with ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, indicating a sophisticated West African art tradition.
- The emphasis on the head reflects beliefs about wisdom and significance found throughout West African cultures.
- The stylization conveys a sense of calmness, seriousness, and possibly inner morality or thought.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Terracotta — A type of fired clay used for sculpture.
- Slip — Liquid clay mixture (often with iron oxide) applied for color and surface finish.
- Nok culture — An ancient, unidentified civilization in Nigeria, known for its terracotta sculptures.
- Subtractive technique — Sculptural method involving carving material away from a solid block.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review images of Nok terracotta heads for stylistic features.
- Prepare notes on similarities between Nok art and other ancient civilizations for discussion.