Unidentified

Head of a Court Figure

circa 300 BC-400 AD

Category
Culture
Sokoto
Place Made
Nigeria
Materials
Terracotta
Measurements
20 x 8 x 8 1/2 in (50.8 x 20.32 x 21.59 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Françoise Billion Richardson
Accession #
95.357
Description

A life-size male head attached to a gradually flaring conical torso without noticeable shoulders but with small, short tubular arms as appendages. Wearing a close-fitting cap or short coiffure, inscribed with a simple, incised design, the head posses characteristic heavy, sagging eyelids over pierced holes for eyes, and framed by a pair of oval incised lines. Below the slightly agape mouth, bracketed by small, dangling mustache twists, hangs a long gently curving convex beard, striated and knotted at the tip. A series of engraved lines around the neck most likely suggest necklaces, or possibly either rolls of fat or scarification. These features suggest age or wisdom.